Where the cops are.

Pulling into the police department's parking lot, Rodger settled into an open space as far from the building as he could find. Shutting the engine off, the teacher sighed. Did he really want to do this? No, but he'd agreed to. He really didn't want to be involved in this "live-action game," but Richard had said something about contracts having been signed. And being sued for not doing his job, whatever is really was, wasn't on Rodger's list of desirable things to experience.

Opening the door, he got out, and retrieved two packages from the back seat. Shutting the car doors, he made sure that they locked, and started, reluctantly, walking towards the P.D.'s main entrance, carrying the two bulky packages of clothes with both arms.

At the door, it took a little bit of shuffling around to get it open, then he slipped inside nervously.

Uncomfortably, Rodger approached the front desk. His nervousness was not at all well-hidden; readily apparent to the desk sergeant.

"Can I help you?" she asked him, in a neutral tone of voice.

"Um... I need to deliver these parcels. One is for Captain James Scott, the other for Corporal Ken Ustinov. Where are their offices?"

The woman looked at the Parcels then to the very nervous man standing in front of her. Shrugging aside her worries she gives him directions to both their offices before returning to her paperwork.

It looked like Cpl. Ustinov's office was the closer of the pair. He was the one the pirate outfit was for. Unknown to Rodger, the costume was patterned after the appearance of the Cpl.'s famous distant cousin Peter, when he played the title role in Disney's "Blackbeard's Ghost."

The door was open, and the officer was at his desk doing something on the computer in front of him.

"Corporal Ustinov?" Rodger asked softly, wanting to get the man's attention but not to mess up whatever he was working on.

The corporal looks from Rodger to the parcel with a mix of anticipation and fear. But just as he's about to speak a young hispanic man pops his head in "Corporal cap needs us downtown" As they both move to exit the corporal looks at Rodger and says "Leave the package on the desk, and could you lock the door on your way out?"

"Yes sir," Rodger says promptly, although he worries about whether he'll need a key in order to lock the office door.

Placing the parcel on Cpl. Ustinov's desk, he turns back towards the door. Luckily, locking it before it closes is easily accomplished, so he does so and exits to the hallway, shutting the now-locked door behind him. One more parcel to drop off here, than it was off to the mall for his next delivery.

Heading for Captain Scott's office, he is surprised that a burly, mustached policeman is standing in the doorway of the office, talking rapidly with another officer, a youthful black woman, who is jotting something down on a pad of paper in her hand. The bits his ears caught as he approached sounded like instructions for police action going on, not a romantic liaison.

You'd think that in a city like this there'd be more action, the blond haired leader of the Psychic Investigation Unit thought. "Another day, more paperwork," she sighed, writing yet another report down. Each day was getting more repetitive. There had hardly been any worthwhile crimes in the past week. Most of it had been simple robberies and thefts.

That was when she looked up, noticing several police officers rushing towards the exit. Finally, Katy thought, seeing this as an opportunity to escape the endless paperwork. The officer got up quickly, opening her door and grabbing one of her subordinates.

"Don, what's going on?" Katy asked the panicking man.

"Trouble at the docks. Several units are going," was the quick answer.

Katy quickly scrambled out the door, along with about five others. I'll bet it's the supers...finally. she thought, stepping into one of the squad cars and zooming off towards the docks.

--->To Docks
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Mon 09 Nov 2009.

In reply to Rodger Eskin (msg #7):

The two continue talking until the mustachioed man notices you. "Yes? Can I help you?"

"Delivery for Capt. James Scott," Rodger said, holding out the package containing a  costume that was primarily Keystone Kop, with some tramp clown elements in the design. It had several well-hidden discs in it, like the one the Mayor wore had on his trunks. Bottom of the right boot, between his shoulderblades on his back, and one between his legs just like Richard.

The woman gives the costume a confused look. The man looks a little flustered as he moves to take it. "Thats me I'll take that"

Handing the costume over, Rodger turned to leave the police to do their important business. Whatever Capt. Scott intended to do with that crazy suit, he didn't want to be any part of it. Although he knew that he was anyway, despite his wishes.

Heading back out towards the entrance, Rodger exited and returned to his car in the parking lot. Next stop, Weston City Mall and three more deliveries of bizarre clothing. If he ever got his hands on those demons in real life, there was going to be such a lecture about irresponsibility...

On the way to the mall, the gemstone display popped up in his head. One of the large gems near the pearl was flashing, turning into a blue sapphire. Prisoner #2, James Scott, is online, he mentally heard. Oh God.


(Exit to Weston City Mall)

>>>> Legacy HQ >>>>

He was at it again.  The bane in some ways of WCPD.  Alistair Stevens.  No one knew who he was and there was enough black ops and government run arounds and dead ends to keep people searching for years to figure out who actually knew who this guy was.  He was a mover and a shaker.  Fully using every trump card his position entailed, authorized by codes of conduct written back with the Secret Defenders and now working to get the Legacy of Weston City everything they needed to know.

On the plate today, he was looking through their network of information for the known connections and money makers for the family that was going to purchase the shipment of weapons today.

Sure Zeke could slip in quietly, without the network even knowing he was there and absorb all the information he could.  But he had to have a little of that 'fuck the system' fun he had to steer clear of now.

Hunter sat in a cell two uniforms on either side. They were keeping him in the station not wanting to risk throwing him in the local jail and wrongly thinking he couldn't escape in a building full of police. He was still in his clothes and thus he still had the cats-eye amulet that was around his neck at all times, no one outside of The LEgacy knew of its power and not even they knew the extent of it, he wasn't even sure if his father did. He looked around the room for the umpteenth time noting the exits and guards, security was good, just not good enough. He could probably get out of here only killing 2-5 cops. He could skip town, fake his death, and start up somewhere else. He was confident he could outrun any one affter him, and it wasn't like he needed Donald Derring anymore, the only reason he'd kept the name was out of repsect to his father and Ellen, the money helped too. The truth waas, Donald Derring died with his wife, only the Hunter remained. That was when he could forget, when he trualy felt alive anymore, when he was killing bastards who deserved it. Mirage thought it was a joke, that this would blow over, it never would, even if he got off scot free, which was doubtful, his civilian identity would be useless to him now, everyone would still suspect. The best plan was to break out of here, leave town, and never look back.
Then how come he hadn't yet?

The criminal known as Donald Derring sat on the bench in his cell his legs crossed and his eyes close. He sat completely still and silent, in fact had been doing so for some time and his guards were starting to get worried.

ONe guard called out to him, <blue"Hey buddy you okay?"</blue> THere was no response. Motioning to his partner to cover him he opened the cell door and slowly made his wayinside, when he stood before the man he reached out to shake him but before he could touch him his eyes shot open, and they were yellow with slitted pupils, like a cats eyes. WIth blinding speed he struck the officer in the stomach, disarmed him and fired two shots at hsi partner connecting with both. Standing quickly he ran up the stairs towards the SCU main floor and the exit.

At the top of the stairs were two men one large caucasian with a shaved head and one smaller hispanic with long black hair. They turened as hunter bounded up the stairs landing and then immediately striking  the hispanic man in the chest sending him flying. The large man lunged and Hunter ducked striking him in the knee cap. Beelining for the exit he stopped as he heard a familiar voice. "Stop! Don don't do this, your just making this worse, we can get through this, like old times." Hunter barely turned as he spoke his words sounding more like a growl. "MY name is hunter." Spinning he fired hitting jordan in the chest and raced out the door. WIth an incredible leap ,even for him, he made his way onto an adjacent rooftop and tookoff. On the ground with officers surrounding him JOrdan had enough time to make one text before blacking out.

>>TO rooftops>>

>>>>> From Derring Condominiums

Whenever there was anything para related going on in Weston, Lane Summers, a plucky freelance reporter, was usually found.  At least that was the image that Mirage liked her alternate identity to appear.  Lane was known to the Weston PD so having her appear at the station would not be unusual.

"Is Captain Jordan free?  I heard that you've made a pretty interesting arrest and I...wanted..." she asked the front desk sergeant with a curious look.  The station was a buzz with activity, moreso than usual, and it only helped to fuel that sinking feeling that she had.  "What's with all of the fuss, Sarge?  Too much caffeine in the coffee this morning?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:48, Wed 30 Dec 2009.

THe Desk Sergeant looked up as Lane Summers entered. As she asked for Jordan he winced. "Sorry ma'am but theres a bit of a situatoin here. The prisoner escaped, he injured five of us before leaping onto the rooftops, Jordan was shot in the mans escape attempt he's en route to the hospital now."

Hunter you idiot.  Mirage seethed.  Just when she thought that things were getting better with that man, he goes and does something like this.  He'd better have a good reason for this...

Scratch that.  What reason could he have for shooting Jordan?

"That's terrible.  Is Jordan alright?" 'Lane' said with genuine concern.  Mirage respected Jordan.  Here was a man trying to keep Weston in order through legal means and with a non-para staff.  It couldn't be an easy task.  And now Hunter had gone and shot the man?

Don't look for me, eh Hunter?  We'll just see about that.

Mirage got the details on where Jordan had been taken.  She'd drop in and see him later on, make sure that he was all right.  For now she had other things to take care of, or rather someone.

She stepped out of the Police station and into the street where she pulled out her cell phone and made a call to Hotwire.

"Zeek?  It's Helena." she said.  It still sounded strange to use her real name.  "I need you to trace Dons cell phone.  I need to know where he is."

Mirage gave her phone a sour look.  What in the hell was going on with Zeek?

"Zeek?  Pull yourself together and focus here.  This's important.  Where is Don?" she said sternly into the phone.  What was wrong with the man?

Mirage snapped her phone shut and frowned.

Dammit Don.  What's going through your head?

She decided to check in on Captain Jordan at the hospital and then probably head home.  Her back was starting to hurt and that was never a good sign.  She'd start to look for Hunter tomorrow, hopefully before he did something really stupid.

Ex lightly landed on the roof of The Weston Pd, and waited patiently for the others. He was a little nervous about what was coming up but was sure it'd turn out all right.

  Meg's chainmail popped up over the edge and came floating over, even as Meg and the others came soaring down, in another spiral.  Clearly, if you got motion-sick, you did NOT want to fly with Erinyes.

It took Icepick a moment to get his bearings, but he was ready within a few seconds.

"Wow...that was a fun ride. Hey, it looks like Ex is already here..."

Walking out of the near by shadows he stared at the chainmail and its owner and clapped at the young girl and her strange power.

    "Greetings young lady and what are you doing on top of the police station?" he said this with a kindness yet he still held that charismatic charm about himself

  Andy came gliding in, and muttered something before he folded those huge wings of his (he didn't want to catch them on anything on that roof) and came in for a less-than-graceful landing.  Which happened to include a fresh batch of 'road-rash' that looked worse than it was, since it drew all that black blood.  He said "Damn.  I have to practice my landings!!"

Icepick turned around quickly and saw the newcomer.

"Dude..somebody could probably ask the same thing about you..."

Around them, the temperature began to drop slightly...

Leo smirked a bit and shrugged this person had a point and he walked over to the winged man and reached out a hand.

   "Want some help?" he said in a casual tone as if flying people were comming

  Andy said "Depends on if you're afraid of things that don't bleed red.  Watch the talons."  The hand that came up to take his was equipped with six inch long razor-edged talons, and had black blood stippled along the golden-bronze skin.  Once Andy had hold of his hand, he hauled himself to his feet.  The eighteen inch long, wickedly sharp, impala-style horns adorning his head were also obviously lethal weapons, and the neatly folded, enormous bat-style wings that he flex-flipped to arrange properly were altogether indications that this young man wasn't human.  Not even mentioning the spade-spike tipped tail that lashed back and forth much like a cat's.

Leo gave the nod that he noticed and aided the young man up and then took a step back the shadow bent and created an arch above his head and he pulled out a cigerette and lit it and took a deep puff from it.

  "Well what are you three doing out in this weather on a police station.....by the way the name is Leo Black defence attorney." he said this and with a flick of the wrist had a business card out

  Meg finished slithering into her chainmail, even as the ball bearings stuck to her in lines, and said "Making a courtesy call before we go make a rather uncourteous call on some unsavory and potentially hostile persons."

his eyebrow raised slightly he finished his cig and threw it over the edge as he moved forward the shadows seemed to bend towards him like he was a magnet.

  "Really....well i am rather new to this city i just transfered in and well may if not to much trouble be able to join you?" he said this his amusment at its peak the fact he was gonna see what this city had to offer as a challenge

  Meg nodded, and said "As long as you can work in a team environment, and follow orders as needed, that's fine.  We don't want anyone going wild and not sticking to plans."

he smiled and well in all honest he was a long wolf but he needed help he needed someone he could fall back on.

   "team stuff i am new to but i'll assist you as best i can. where are we going?" he said this as the shadows began to engulf him

  He walked out of the shadows in a new appearance a dark evil one his eyes were glowing white and his figure had changed it appeared he had a ghostly appearance except a dark black figure had taken his place.

(this is my last post for day got work in the morning i'll post tomorrow afternoon and night lol"

Icepick turned to Meg and said, "Um...OK...so we're taking along creepy Shadow guy with us too? Great..."

  Meg said "I'm thinking further 'distractions' would not hurt to have.  Besides, he's a lawyer."  Meg did not elaborate on what that meant.

Painter chuckled, having changed on the flight over.

"Fighting one scumbucket with another, eh? Sounds like a plan to me. Like they said, as long as you're willing to play nice with us, we're all right with letting you tag along. And by the looks of it, your powers might come in handy on this particular outing. You've got stealth abilities, am I right?"

Iris arrived behind the others in her Radio Flyer. By the time she got there, she was wearing her leotard - apparently having changed in-flight. She was also wearing a jacket that looked like it probably belonged to Chuck since it was oversized for Iris. The outfit was reminiscent of anime-style superheros - Sailor Moon to be quite exact. It wasn't precisely a Sailor-soldier outfit, but there was some definate inspiration there, "Hi, sorry. I was telling Chuck where to hide until I got home. His roommate tried to sneack out last night, and Chuck asked so many questions while he was doing it that the night monitor caught Skully. Skully and his buddies told Chuck at breakfast that they were going to pound him into the pavement after school." She grinned as though this was the most normal thing in the world - and for her it was.

Out of a nearby stairwell door comes Captain Jordan, flanked by two uniformed officers. "Can someone explained to me why theres a bunch of costumed kids on my roof?"

Icepick remembered Captain Jordan from the first time he had put on his costume. The captain gave him a good tongue-lashing...and at that moment, he had almost given up being a hero. It was only because of Bill that he remained Icepick...

Looking to the more savvy members of the NAD, he stayed silent...at least for the moment.

  Meg stepped forward, and said simply "We want to report an issue that needs attention.  We're registered, and at the registration office, they said we should ask for you and your officers to take the lead in dealing with a cache of highly dangerous, advanced technological weapons that are being built here in the city."

Leo moved forward which seemed more like gliding but it was obvious he was walking but he moved and hearing what Meg said he nodded this was very true and this was the more reason why he needed someone to aid him in his quest for justice. He didnt pipe in a comment he kept silent and listened.

>>>>>>>>>>From The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dragon Fist extended his wings, and then landed on top of the rooftop of the Weston PD station.

Seeing the New Age Defenders talking with Captain Jordan, he then stood beside the New Age Defenders. It looked like the young lady..Meg...or codename Erinyes...had things under control.

In a way, her confidence reminded him a lot of Friday...

Painter nodded in agreement.

When Dragon Fist landed nearby, he waved and said, "Hey. We're just getting some 'official' help, or at least trying to. Doing what we're supposed to by the SRA, you know?"

Dragon Fist waved back at Painter as he landed. "Good man Painter...cooperation is what the SRA is all about...."

He then turned to Captain Jordan. "Captain Jordan...we've been collaborating with each other in regards to information surrounding the weapons. This information has been confirmed, and we could use some official help in dealing with these weapons. Otherwise, if these things make it on to the streets, it will give the criminals that possess them a SERIOUS advantage.."

 Meg nodded, and said "Yes.  Not everyone can do what I do.  Or what I did for you, Captain Jordan."

Leo didnt want to speak he was gonna take this night as a first of what was gonna become many nights and days of field research use his contacts figure out the layout of the city and this band was gonna be his aid in doing so. No matter how well orginized a group is if they dont know the city and those they are dealing with then they might as well go in guns a blazing which was not his style at all. He was just gonna wait for the orders to get things moving.

"Well the problem is Dragon Fist, until they hit the streets there's nothing I can do, technically this guy has done nothing illegal. Just cuz theres potential for-" Jordan stopped and stared at Meg. "THAT WAS YOU?! Jeez can't you give a guy some warning? I just wake up and wow no bullet hole, doctors are amazed my mothers calling it a miracle... Well anyways, thanks. They weren't sure if I was going to make it. As for these weapons.. I can offer expertise but no solid manpower until he makes a move....And there's a personal project thats been consuming most of my time."

"But, if we make the move, then it should be fine? Also, Dragon Fist, when you guys asked us about this... I believe something was said about a shipment of similar weapons that you'd captured from Bertelli's men? Would that help you any, Captain?" asked Painter. He wanted to make sure they had covered all the bases before the N.A.D. hauled off and started going with the old plan of working alone.

Dragon Fist crossed his arms and nodded.

"Yes...we actually had captured a shipment of the weapons from the harbor. I wasn't involved personally, but a couple of our number were. Our residet technopath was checking them out to see if he could find out anything more about them."

  Meg nodded and said "Yes.  I stopped in before you woke up.  I think a lieutenant Boyarski has my card, I met him the night I moved into my residence.  I mentioned offering my . . . 'first aid' services to the Weston PD as needed.  That can be discussed at further length at another time, however.  I would, no offense,  prefer that none of your officers or yourself again need assistance like that.  Which is why we are here.  I can show you a number of caches of these weapons that have been placed in a number of locations around town.  Thankfully, I can GEM scan without anyone noticing."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:54, Wed 17 Mar 2010.

"Well As long as you find something we can prosecute him with there should be no problem. But if you bust in there and theres nothing illegal going on theres not much we can do save hold him a night or two. As for the Bertelli's they're pretty well covered it'll be hard to get some dirt-" The captain stops and stairs at  the shadow behind the door.

A young man dressed in dark clothes his head shaved and his eyes covered by a pair of sunglasses steps out of the shadow of the door. "I can get you all the dirt you need on Bertelli."

  Andy half-grinned, and waved a hand indicating the fellow could come closer.  HE wasn't going to bite.

Dragon Fist looked at the stranger closely, but allowed him to come closer.

It appeared as if he had something that might be of relevance. If it could help nail the Bertellis, it might be worth it.

"And who would you be?" Jordan asks apparently the only suspicious one of them.

THe young man stepped forward. "I'm Michael Bertelli, Antonio Bertelli's son."

Dragon Fist looked at Michael and crossed his arms.

"Pleasure to meet you Michael...I have one question though...why are you selling out your Father?"

"Well, this is kind of complicated. He's more my adoptive father I was raised in a facility run by the government, apparently my great grandfather was a mask back in the 30s. I...got loose bout 8 years ago wound up in Weston where Antonio took me in. I started working for him after a while but since Legacy has gone public..He's becoming like a man obsessed, I'm not certain he still gives a damn about me...if he ever did."

  Meg said softly "Not everyone is as lucky as I am, I know.  You're willing to let Mr. Bertelli receive the punishment the law dictates for any crimes he is convicted of?"

  Andy just listened, if someone wasn't afraid of him (he'd seen himself in a mirror), then he was happy enough to let them talk for now.

"So what's your price for this information? I mean, you're probably not gonna just give us all of Bertelli's juicy little secrets for free, are you? What do you want out of this deal?" asked Painter, somewhat suspicious of this person's motives. After all, this could easily be a trap set by Bertelli to lure them in. Make them think they're flanking Bertelli, when really they were going right where he wanted them.

Iris looked up at the mention of a government facility, "Really? What facility? Were they mean to you or something? I liked living a the Facility." She asked conversationally before catching on to the serious looks on the faces of the others and clamming up.

"Amnesty" He said simply. "I give you dirt on Antonio, my working for him gets stricken from the record and I get to go free starting a new life." He stops looking at Iris. "How could you enjoy that hell?"

Iris shrugged, looking abashed, "They liked me. They give me stuff to fiddle with, to make gadgets and stuff." She admitted, looking at him through her eyelashes, "I mean, it's not like I want to go back or anything. But I can't remember anything before then."

Dragon Fist crossed his arms and looked at the New Age Defenders.

"Well guys...it's your show...do we take him at his word, and hope the information he has is correct?"

In truth, Dragon Fist was not the best person to ask at this moment. Between Friday's leaving and the return of the Dark Champion, his decision-making process was liable to be a bit scattered. That wouldn't stop him from kicking ass if he had to though...

"I think this is more my decision guys. I think I can work something out if your information is solid, if we can make a prosecution stick because of your information, then all the better. " He turns again to the New Age Defenders. "Alright if you can shut down this factory and find proof that he's selling the weapons then I can work with the D.A. to get an indictment."

"One more thing this...raid your going on, I want in. THat way he knows I'm not following him anymore.."

  Meg nodded.  She said "Here's the one rule:  If you get hurt, you haul your butt to see me.  ASAP.  Ask Captain Jordan how good my 'first aid' is."

Dragon Fist looked at Shade for a moment.

"All right...but don't take this the wrong way when I tell you that I've got my eye on you. All the same, I hope that you're on the level, son..."

Painter smirked. This was definitely getting interesting.

"Works for me. Well, then, are we ready to roll, guys? Now that we've gotten the go ahead from Captain Jordan here, there's nothing else stopping us. Are we all ready? Because, ladies and gentlemen, I do believe it's go time!"

Ex nods. "Lets go, I'll scout ahead, keep in touch via communicator." WIth that he takes to the sky.

>>TO BUILDERS WAREHOUSE>>

Dragon Fist also takes to the air, following Excelsior...

>>>>>>>>>>>To Builder's Warehouse>>>>>>>>>>>

THe young man watches the other two fly off. "So how are the rest of us getting there?"

  Andy spread his wings wide, and moved to the edge of the roof, then leaped off the edge, his wings blurring into motion and carrying him up and into the sky.  Following Excelsior, although far more slowly.

  Meg offered "If you need a lift, I can take you too.  It's not a very difficult thing, flying a group."

Icepick grinned under his mask.

"I'm gonna slide my way, following you guys. It's like ice surfing if ya think about it..."

He then began to make a slide made out of pure ice, and followed the others..

>>>>>>>>>To The Builders Warehouse>>>>>>>>>>>

"That would help, I need to have been to a place first to 'port to it."

  Megaira nodded, and lifted her hands.  She rose into the air, and Shade could feel himself go 'weightless' gently, and she made another motion to bring him closer, explaining "It's generally easier to avoid obstacles if I group my flights tightly."

Painter nodded to Meg as she started lifting people to fly them to the safehouse.

"I'd like a lift, too, though if I'd put you over capacity, I can skate there just fine."

  Meg chuckled, and picked up Ozzy too.  She told him quietly "So far, I can pick up and fly cars, I don't think four or even five people would be too much."

Iris climbed into her wagon, self-conscious in front of the police officer, and pulled out her play-station controller. With a quick wave at the Captain, she turned the craft on and followed the others to the safe-house.

A nervous suggestion found it's way into her mind as she flew the Radio Flyer after the others. How had the shadowy boy known of their intentions? How had he found them?

>>To the Builder's Safehouse>>

>>>>>>>>>>>>>From The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dragon Fist lugged the unconscious Paragon with him to Weston PD.

"Tell Captain Jordan that I have a special delivery...this guy's a Para...bad news...I would recommend keeping him sedated..."

Captain Jordan enters in a matter of Minutes followed By EThan Sharpe, formarly known as Brigand nod Assistant director of the DPA. "Damnit that costume looks familiar even if the face doesn't" Jordan says. "Tell me this isn't the same guy we faced during the gang crisis?"

"No it isn't...but I believe that it may be his successor..." Dragon Fist replied.

Ethan lets out a "Oh BLoody hell" As he sees the man's face. "Thats Will Terrence. He was a technician with the forensics  department at the DPa a genius in his field, he dissapeared soon after WE aquired Paragon's body, before it...turne to dust. We were hoping it was unrelated though we had people looking for him."

Dragon Fist shook his head at this news.

"I trust you guys have got it covered from here."

Before he got ready to leave, he then asked, "Any news on Detective Martinez?"

Jordan shakes his head. "Not yet we've got a missing persons report out for him but utnil we're sure of any wrong doing theres not much we can do except keep an eye out."

"Before you go Dragon Fist I want you to know, that we're here if you need us the D.P.A I mean I know you aren't at full force so If you want I can pull some strings see if I can get some people to help you out."

Dragon Fist nodded. He REALLY wanted to say more...but more than likely, they wouldn't understand about the struggle that he faced with being a Champion of Light.

"I appreciate the offer Ethan...I am certainly open to any help you can provide...thank you..."

Turning to Captain Jordan, he said to him,"Thanks Captain...." he said, obviously with a very heavy heart, and he then left the station.

The good news was that a big menace was taken off of the streets. The bad news was there was a casuality in so doing: the young man with the water-based powers was vaporized by his hands.

The nightmare he had continued to haunt him. And that only made finding his brother all the more urgent.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>To The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 14:49, Mon 17 May 2010.

Katy walked into her office, beat and extremely tired. Undercover work, especially when it meant checking with the P.D. every day, had made it extremely hard to do so. But then again, it helped her not to get in too deep. She half smiled as she sat down in front of her computer, the computer whirring to life of it's own accord, as did the monitor.

Her eyes drooped a little as she flipped open her phone, texting all of the Legacy members as she waited for the machine to boot up.

Don walks into the police headquarters carrying baby Diantha in  a baby Carrier. He makes his way to Captain Jordan's office and they have a breif discussion behind closed doors before Don begins heading towards Katy's office.

Before Don could even put his hand to the Doorknob of Katy's office, the door swings open. Katy, still drowsy and with a mug of pure-black coffee in her hand, looks at Don flatly. An eyebrow raises as she glances down to the baby, then promptly turns around, walking to her chair. As she sits down, another chair moves of its own accord opposite her.

"Hey, Don," Katy said, her voice more of a croak than anything, "How are you?"

  The baby in the carrier watched Katy with wide, alert brown eyes.

Katy looked back at the baby, a half smile forming on her face. Noting how the baby seemed alert to her, Katy tugged a little at the tiny one's consciousness, displaying the comfortable and easy emotions one could express as she uttered a word with a smile telepathically:

Friend.

Katy then turned her eyes up to Don. Her trenchcoat was off, and she was dressed in nothing more than a black tanktop, and cargo pants. That being so, it was relatively easy to notice that the shoulder rig that held her gun was still on, and the gun was in place. However, the restraining snap was off, which no cop ever leaves opened unintentionally. Katy was suspicious.

"Don," she said, her voice friendly and her emotions not of the negative brand, "Could you please explain to me what happened? I was contacted as Captain Jordan was in the hospital for this undercover job, and have had little time to catch up on the news."

"Could you explain to me what happened, how all of a sudden Jordan hated you for the slightest of moments, and what has happened since?"

Her voice never altered, but stayed its warm tone, as one would speak to a dear friend.

{{Be nice to Daddy.}}  The voice was young, but was not totally unformed.  There was a very lively, intelligent, ACTIVE mind behind those brown eyes.

Now, the normal reaction to a telepathic being is to scream, clutch your head, or think yourself insane. That is, if you haven't been told so in advance, or if you haven't had experience with this. Katy was a Mistress of the Mind, and therefore only a raised eyebrow accompanied the slightly amused twinkle in her eye.

"I am being nice, little one," she said, "I'm only trying to figure out what happened in my absence."

Don smiled as Diantha had an obvious conversation, placing Diantha on the floor. "Well a lots happened in your and  not all of it is my story to tell I'll fill you in on my business. Apparently the amulet I was using for my power was driving me crazy Caused me to break out of prison and Shoot Rick, Captain Jordan to you I guess. It all started though I didn't know this at the teim When Savant came out of his coma and tried to frame me for murder. I gave myself up and after Yuri wiped my mind but I managed to get out of it with the help aof a chinese sorceress. Then when Yuri tried to kill me the charges were dropped They even got me a pardon for what I did while under control of the amulet. Theres a new group of para-reens on the loose I don't know them as well as DF though. I've officialy been outed as Hunter, Antonio Bertelli is dead and his son has assembled a small army of parahuman criminals. This is my daughter Diantha her mother was my old crime fighting cancer who gave her to me because she was dying of cancer. Her future self came to us to inform us that some prick from the future is convinced killing us will  avert some war to happen in the future. There's more but I Think thats up to LUcas to tell you."

>>>>>>>>>>From The Dragon And the Tiger>>>>>>>>>>>

Lucas arrived at the police station, and made his way to Katy's office.

"Hey Don...hey Katy...good to see you again...where've you been?"

--== Time Jump ==--

Thin wisps of crimson smoke slipped into the room as the others were talking.  The wisps swirled about the baby in the carrier, playfully prodding at the child.  The smoke slipped about Diantha, lifting the baby out of the carrier.  More smoke flowed in, moving along unfelt air currents to join the first wisps.  The smoke thickened, obscuring Diantha, until it all coalesced into the shapely figure of Mirage wearing her normal tight and slinky long dress and veiled hat.

Mirage cradled Diantha in her hands and was making little cooing noises as she glided across the room to take a seat upon the edge of Katy's desk.  She seemed more interested in the baby than the others in the room, though she did address them.

"Hello Hunter, Lucas.  It's nice to see you again, Katy.  Dare we ask what you've been up to?" A thin wisp of smoke appeared above Diantha, moving with the playful rhythm of Mirages gloved finger.  "And hello to you, Diantha.  Have you been good?  Did Daddy show you how to punish the bad guys yet?"

  Diantha giggled, and answered {{Punches!}}  She obviously adored Mirage.  And those lively brown eyes followed the crimson smoke with absolute attention.  Chubby little uncoordinated hands grabbing at the smoke, but Mirage could see she was growing fast, and getting coordinated a LOT faster than most babies.

Lucas smiled as Mirage made her one of her "fabulous entrances." She had always been good at that....and she had also been good at things that most of the others might not have suspected...such as being extremely supportive in spite of uphill circumstances.

"M....it's good to see you again..."

He smiled at Diantha as well, but she looked like she was having fun with Mirage.

Katy sipped her coffee as Don told the tale. As he finished Katy nodded as if she expected it. "I thought it would turn out like that. In fact, I was hoping it would be along those lines. But an army of Paras...." She stopped a moment, contemplating  what could happen.

Almost at that moment, Dragon Fist entered. "Hey Lucas," she said, the snap on her shoulder rig clamping down on the gun as she spoke. "I've been working undercover." She checked her cell phone, looking at the clock on it.

"As for what specifically it is..." It was about then that Mirage appeared, cradling Diantha.

The T.V. in the corner Switched on, showing a news reporter. The background was fairly dark, but a SWAT team was clearly visible.

"Alleged Mafia Boss Vincent 'The Beaut' Rissotti was apprehended late tonight. Here with me is Lieutenant Theodore Fitzgerald of the Organized Crime unit. Lieutenant, is there anything you have to say?"

The man who answered was garbed in full SWAT gear, with the only thing missing being his SWAT helmet. "The arrest couldn't have been made without Lieutenant Katherine Hanson and her Psychic task force of the SCU. She went to great lengths to capture this man."

It was about that time that several SWAT team members were muscling several gang members and Rissotti into the back of the Armored Van. Just visible is a woman behind them, recognizable as Katy, dressed in what seems to be a tight leather suit, shouldering into a police jacket. It was then the T.V. Shut off.

"I just hope Friday doesn't see this. By the way, where is she?" Katy asked.

When Lady Psyche asked about Friday, Lucas looked down, his expression somber.

"Um...Friday's....she's gone..."

"What?!" Katy said, a large amount of psychic energy flaring up, then quickly dieing down. Her expression was no longer friendly, and she set the cup down, as it began to shake with her arm. Tears almost instantly welled up. Friday was Katy's friend. She was the one who brought her into the Legacy.

Anger and outrage now covered her face. "Please tell me you caught the person responsible."

Lucas couldn't hold back the tears anymore. He sat down as he buried his hands in his face.

"Friday....Friday went down to Texas....someone stole Paul Randall's body and was using it...cultists...Friday and one other went there to confront them...they were trying to bring a demon into our world..give him a host....there was a huge fight....an explosion with all of them...nothing was left...."

He then turned away, but the tears were flowing freely. "I only have one name....the demon known....as AHRIMAN...and rest assured, I will get him..."

"We will find him." Mirage corrected Lucas.  She had glanced over at Lucas and Katy, her look hard and serious.  Lucas could shed tears for Friday, but Mirage wouldn't, not in front of anyone else.  She wanted to destroy the men responsible for what happened.

Her intent given, Mirage turned her attention back to the baby in her arms.  "That's right, sweetie.  Bad guys get punches."

Don lowers his head at the mention of Friday standing a little behind Lucas not tougching him but offering support through his presence. "We all will."

  Those chocolate eye met Mirage's own, and Diantha smiled.  {{Teach me, please?}}

"You won't be the only one," Katy said, her eyes fiery as she held back what one could assume as anger. A moment later, Katy's face changed slightly, a more sympathetic expression on her face (Or what could be called a mix of anger and sympathy).

"Lucas," Katy said, getting up, almost all traces of fatigue now gone, "I swear to you that if I have to go to the depths of Hell and back, I WILL help you in this endeavor. You will not be alone avenging Friday's death." Even though the two were rivals, it had been a friendly one. Their friendship stretched past the Legacy.

Katy walked over to where Lucas was sitting, bent down and gave him a hug, holding him tight for a moment. "I want you to do something in remembrance of Friday, though. Never think you are alone in this. It's not what she would want," she whispered into his ear, not caring if anyone else heard her. She gave him a squeeze, then got up and sat back down in her chair.

"How long ago did this happen?" She asked.

Lucas was genuinely touched by Katy's gesture.

"Thanks Katy....everyone....knowing that I have your support is a big help. As far as how long ago it happened, from what I remember, it was about a week or so ago..."

  They all thought they heard it.  Sibilant, hard to catch whispering.  It seemed to come from everywhere, and yet nowhere.  Ceeepy, dark whispers from nowhere!!

Lucas looked around, visibly startled.

There were whispers all around them. Could the rest of them hear it as well?

"What is that? What the hell is going on?"

"Friday was one of us Lucas who-" DOn stopped midsentence as the whispering started looking around for the source.

Mirage smiled down at the baby in her arms.  "You'll have to check with your daddy first, little Diantha.  And then maybe learn how to walk first..."

She looked up from Diantha, her tender, maternal expression vanishing as she looked around for the source of the whispers.  It was clear that she wasn't the only one to have heard them.

  Diantha let out a squall of aggravation.  Even as she demanded from Don {{Auntie 'Lena teach me!!}}

Mirage was still looking about the room but she spoke softly to Diantha.

"Hush now, sweetheart.  A lady doesn't throw hissy fits." There was a hint of admonishment in her voice as she addressed Diantha.

"I don't suppose that anyone knows where the creepy voices are coming from?"

"No I don't," Lucas replied. "I wish I did. Everybody, be on your guard.."

Lucas then looked around to see if he could find anything that might be causing the strange whispering they were all hearing.

  {{Hurts.}}  She couldn't explain it, precisely.  The sibilant, hissing whispers HAD hurt, but not her ears.  Somewhere else, that made her want to do things she couldn't, yet.  Her body wasn't ready to do them.  Which was why the squall.  {{Too little.}}

Mirage looked back at the baby girl in her arms.

"Maybe you'd better take Diantha out of here, Don.  I don't think that the whispering voices are good for her."

Don nods stepping forward to take Diantha from Mirage. He then quickly steps to the door and reaches for the handele only finding it won't budge.

Mirage motioned Hunter to step back and gave the door a good swift kick.  She was half expecting the door to resist her attempt to force it open, but that was fine.  At least she got to hit something.

Lucas continued to be on the alert, even as the whispers continued.

Katy frowned. Whispers were one thing, Katy was used to them in her mind, but a locked door? Curious, Katy thought. Why someone would want to do that, in her own office, confused Katy a little.

Katy nodded to Lucas' question, closed her eyes, and tried to focus in on the mental signature of whatever was causing this.

  Even as she focused, it all faded away, without a chance to get a signature.

Lucas looked toward the others. That was definitely weird! Could it have been....he didn't want to think about it...but could it have been...

...Ahriman?

Was he stalking both he and Mirage? Seeing who they associated with?

"All right guys...that was way weird."

There were only three people Hunter knew of that could project those things right into their minds and one was dead and the other tow had the Legacy on their  %$&(* list. "Guys, I think that may be our friend Yuri...."

  A polite knock came on the door, ad a quiet voice came.  "Looking for Captain Jordan's office?"

OOC:  Was waiting to see if kicking the door would open it.  I'm going to assume that it didn't.

Mirage gave a wary eye towards the door when someone started to knock on it.  She was the only one in 'costume' at the moment, so perhaps she'd better change into something less conspicuous.

Mirages clothing started to smoke as she moved over to stand by a window outside.  By the time she reached it, her slinky dress and hat were gone, replaced by a pair of jeans, T-shirt emblazoned with Cops do it with handcuffs on it and a matching shoulder holster.  Her hair shifted to a shoulder length blond.

  The door cracked, but was still stuck.  One more good kick would have it open though.  Even if it did break it.

"Damn...not Yuri again, he was bad enough the first time around. He--"

Lucas then heard the knock at the door and stopped talking. Wondering who this new arrival was.

  "I'm guessing I have the wrong office. Which way to Captain Jordan's, please?"  Very polite, clearly not trying to be pushy.  She added "I just transferred in, I'm with the CSI unit and I need to check in with Captain Jordan."

"Jordans office is down the hall on the left, sweetie." Mirage replied, giving Nokomis a subtle pointing in the direction she should go.

  Mirage could hear the smile as she added "Thank you very much."  Her footsteps moved off down the hallway.

Lucas smiled, somewhat amused at the woman's attempt to ask for directions.

"I wonder if Stevie will set her straight," he said slightly chuckling. "All right, back to the business at hand....it seems we have a lot going on. The business in Texas....Yuri on the loose possibly....this time-travelled person who's after us...and this strange string of arsons. Someone is pulling us in multiple directions, tampering with our focus."

"Don't forget this new drug craze. THis blood stuff is everywhere."

Lucas nodded at Hunter's comment.

"It does seem that we have a lot going on. I don't know about the rest of you, but I think bringing in the New Age Defenders on some of these cases would really help us out. Right now, we're spread too thin as it is. And some of the Defenders are certainly very capable. Meg and Ozzy come to mind, for example...the timelost person....that's our concern...he's after US...this Ahriman business...the Order of the Righteous Sword will let us know when they go after him....Yuri on the loose. If they haven't done so, some or most of the Defenders are in high school, and maybe can find out more about this Blood drug. The arsons too. How does that sound to everyone, because if someone has a better suggestion I am certainly open to it."
This message was last edited by a game moderator at 17:24, Tue 24 Aug 2010.

"They're kids.  Doesn't matter if they have powers or not, we shouldn't be bringing them into trouble." Mirage said flatly.  She didn't bear the New Age Defenders any malice or ill will.  Sure they might have useful abilities but she didn't want to endanger them.

Besides, bringing in a group that needed adult supervision was like entering your young child into a beauty pageant.  Why not let them enjoy their youth before they needed to see teh darker side of Weston.

"I doubt they're going to give up regardless of what we have to say. Better be under our supervision than let them run loose on their own." Hunter didn't like the idea of teen superheros anymore than the next nguy but this was bound to happen after they went public. "You've gotta remember We broke the lid off parahumanity we're the ones told everyone putting on a costume and beating up muggers and drug dealers was the right hting to do. We need to take responsibility for it. Valkyrie was barely out of high school and we took her with us. I'm all for these kids enjoying hteir youth but when you grow up not being normal sometimes there is n't a choice." Don knew all about not having a choice he almost killed three boys when he was six cuz of his temper and natural fighting talent and he wasn't neccesarily a powerhouse these kids needed training and guidance.

"Not to mention the fact that they're minors, and the psychological effects of what para-teens would do if they did what we did," Psyche chimed in. She, in fact, had been around just before the New Age defenders came in, but still hadn't heard much of their exploits. On Blood, however...

"I've heard of this blood drug when I was undercover. Nasty stuff. The Crime Lord I was with forbade everyone to use them, but... he sold it." She paused for a minute, then looked at Lucas momentarily. "What time-travelling person, now? And why is he after you?"

  The door suddenly shattered into several pieces, as though a large, heavy object had smashed into it from somewhere within the room.  It had not emanated from Psyche, nor Mirage, nor could anyone tell WHERE it HAD come from.  Merely that it had, and the door was now definitely open.

In reply to Lady Psyche (msg #140):

"He's after all of us in the Legacy, Katy...which includes you as well..." Lucas replied. "The Traveller, a doctor named Richard Taylor...he believes that by killing us he can stop a wa--"

And then the door shattered, and Lucas turned to see what it might have been, but couldn't find anything or anybody.

Don shakes his head at everyone  being so quick to decide the NAD's fate for them. "I'm telling you tell them to bow out and they'll just blow up in your face.and you guys are all in your 20s not much older than they are you've only got like 5 years on them. NOt to mention it was a sixteen year old that got picked to be Excel's successor, not one of us." As the door shattered Don jumped back in alarm. "The *^$%?"

  His daughter, however, did NOT seem at all alarmed.  She gave a giggle, and kicked her feet.

Lucas noticed the baby giggle. He was no parent, but he would've thought a display like that would frighten the child.

Remembering his telepathic conversations to Friday, Lucas tried to think at the young Diantha.

"Hi little one. You're a brave little girl. What's so funny?" he asked with a mental smile. Truly this little girl was extraordinary.

  She kicked her feet a little more, and replied {{Door open.}}

Lucas smiled at young Diantha. Truly this child was extraordinary....and seeing a visage of her future self...she was going to grow into an amazing woman.

"So...we've got the Traveller...our mysterious arsonist...and this Blood. Don..you're the most tactical out of all of us. Which of these should we tackle first?"

"Personally I think the Traveler SHOULD be the highest priority but we have so little information we may have to wait for his next move. Blood I think would be best handled by Mirage as she can handle infiltrating this drug ring. Normally I'd do it myself but my face has been plastered all over the news lately. The arsonist we also have little information on but I've heard their were no chemicals found on site which might suggest we have a pyrokinetic on our hands."

Lucas crossed his arms and then put his hand to his chin thoughtfully.

"All right then....Katy, it's good to see you back. Don't be a stranger. Don, Helena, call if you need any help. I've got to see about some things at the dojo."

He looked at Diantha and smiled. "Take care muchachita..."

And with that, he walked out of the office. If Esteban was in the office, he would give him a friendly wave.

But now was not the time to be friendly. Now was the time to go on the hunt. The others would have these other crises dealt with. But there was one that Lucas had to deal with...and deal with alone...

Oni was still out there...taunting him...daring him...

"I'm well aware that telling the Defenders to stop would have the same effect as telling one of us to stop.  It wouldn't happen.  If they're intent on throwing themselves into danger then we should make sure that they don't get in over their heads until they're older."

Mirage started towards the door to the office.  She smiled and gave Katy a pat on the shoulder.


"I'll look into the Blood problem.  It sounds like it might be some fun."  She grinned a predatory grin.  Mirage liked beating up drug dealers.

She gave Diantha a smile.  "You be good now, young lady.  If your Daddy says 'yes' then Auntie 'Lena will show you how to punch bad guys." Mirage said fondly.

Mirage paused at the door.  "I'm going to poke around the police records and see what I can find on the Blood situation, Katy.  If you've got any leads that we can follow up on, just let me know."

That said, Mirage, still disguised as a police officer, walked out of the office to do some research.

Taking one last look around, Lucas then headed out of the police station. He had things to do...

>>>>>>>>>>To The Dragon And The Tiger>>>>>>>>>>

As Lucas and Mirage leave Hunter picks up Diantha's baby carrier giving a nod to Katy. "I'll catch you around Katy  I'll see if any of my contacts have any information on Blood or the Traveler, if I come up with anything I'll let you know." With a final wave he turns  heads out to his car and back to the house.

>TO VAN DIEMIEN HOUSE>>

Psyche smiled as Mirage Patted her on the shoulder, and headed back to the desk in her office as the others left. She told them a parting "Take Care" to everyone and sat down at her computer.


"Thanks, Mirage. I appreciate the help," Psyche said, turning around in her desk just as Mirage left and flicking the T.V. on with an absent thought. It showed another re-run of her busting the Beaut, along with several other unimportant news items.

Katy sighed and turned her head to the computer, where she began to research and run through the computerized archives.

An elegantly handsome man with dark brown hair which has been slicked back. He is dressed ina finely cut suit and overall looks very dashing. He steps over to the desk and speaks with a german accent. "Can you direct me To Lieutenant Catherine Hanson's Office?" After receiving the directions he walks over to her office and knocks twice.

Psyche was slightly startled by the knocking.

"Enter," she said, and turned around to face the door, wondering who would want to talk to her at this ungodly hour.

The doorknob turned and an almost unnaturally handsome man entered. There seemed to be something, off something not quite right about him but Psyche couldn't place it. He smiled a roguish grin before there eyes locked and he spoke in a melodious voice. "Obey..."

Psyche had never seen this man before in her life, and wasn't about to let an upstart psychic outsmart the Mistress of the Mind. She felt psychic energy pushed onto her, telling her to obey his commands even as he said the words.

Lady Psyche simply smiled.

She stood up, unclasping her gun out of it's holster, talking as she drew the gun. "I would suggest you stop that upstart crap. It's not going to work." She said.

He smiled roguishly. "I could say the same thing about your weapon." He says in highly accented english. "Now are you going to put it away or do I have to , how you say, get rough?"

"First tell me who you are, and what you want from me, then the gun goes back in her holster," Psyche said, lowering the weapon to the floor and flicking the safety back on.

He shakes his head. "You seem to misunderstand the situation. Your tricks will not work on me anymore than mine worked on you but fortunately for me I have other talents, and your weapon will not help you. You have two choices, Come quietly and unharmed, or come a littlle, worse for wear...." He smiled wider than before now revealing two sharp pointed fangs.

Psyche noticed the fangs as he smiled, and put the gun in it's drawer. As she put the gun in the drawer, she touched something she'd not messed with since her grandmother's funeral: A dagger. Quietly calling upon her powers, Psyche whisked it off into her own personal pocket dimension.

"Fine," She said, "But I bring a melee weapon with me, just in case something goes sour and I have to fend something or someone off. Good enough for you?"

With that she closed the door, and gestured for him to lead the way. If the man happens to be reading her mind, and her defenses are intentionally down, he would find that she has no plans of attacking him. Only curiosity.

Mirage had spent some time going through the police computers to see what she could find out about the spread of this Blood drug.  She hated drug dealers.  They preyed upon the weaknesses of others and only cared about their customers ability to pay for their next hit.

She found a couple of men who were suspected of being drug dealers and where they normally hung out.  She smiled.  Mirage was going to have to pay these men a little visit.

--> TO the Streets

--> From the Streets

Mirage reappeared inside of the ladies room in the police station.  She altered her appearance to look like any other plains clothes police officer and went to go and meet Katy Watson in her office.

"Katy?"

Psyche was at the door in an instant, opening it and beckoning Mirage in. "What's wrong, Mirage? You sounded strange on the phone," Katy said. She sat down at her desk, innocent concern positively radiating from her. She beckoned Mirage to sit down as the chair moved of its own accord right behind Mirage.

Mirage walked into Katy Watsons office, eying the police woman suspiciously as she passed her.

"I had an interesting fight with some psychic woman calling herself Psywitch." Mirage said.  She went to sit down in one of the chairs but grimaced as her knife wound pained her.  Her hand went to her side and she stood back up.  "She had a number of moves that were very good impressions of mine, even down to the same signature effects.  I've only taught one person and that's you.  Have you shown anyone else what I taught you?"

"No, I haven't shown anyone what you've taught me, Mira..." She stopped dead, realizing what Mirage was getting at. "Helena, I didn't attack you. I was in my office ever since you guys left. The only time I left this office was to investigate some ol' Mansion on the outskirts of town, then came straight back. I have several witnesses." She was speaking frantically now, alarmed.

Mirage was a naturally suspicious person.  She was not the sort to open up easily to another, not without spending time with them first.  Katy Watson had been one such case.  It had taken some time for Mirage to really begin to trust Katy, enough that Katy knew her real first name.

To see Katy acting alarmed only made Mirage more suspicious.  It wasn't as though Mirage was going to beat up the other woman, if that was the case she'd have done it already.  Mirage wanted to believe that Katy was telling the truth, but her other instincts said that something was amiss.

"Do you now." she replied skeptically.  "Who are they?"

As the two women are talking there isa  bit of a hubub outside as the Department breaks into a flurry of voices and activity.

Mirage patiently waited for Katy to reply, studying the womans every blink and twitch.  The hubub outside had other ideas however.

It was quite a racket going on in a normally quiet police station.  Mirage moved over to the door and glanced outside.

  Nokomis, the new girl, was arguing.  "Captain, he needs gotten away from them NOW!  We can't just trust them to NOT start caving pieces off to give us 'incentive' to do what they want!!"

"I'm working on it the best I can, we're assembling a team as we speak no one seems to be at the Legacy's Hq we've been calling them constantly. The Mayor is practically ready to fold over for these guys."

  She said "Let me try.  Or . . . I can call someone.  She's bulletproof."

  The whole building shook as the earth beneath it did.

Before Jordan could reply the Earthquake hit and everyone was diving under Decks the quick reflexes of Westons Of police force evident.

Indeed, Psyche's every twitch and head movement suggested innocence as she explained where she was.

"115 E. Poppleton. That's where I was. I have two squad-men to prove it, Helena. John Yates and Will Kingston, ask 'em," she said, her voice not challenging but rather alarmed and willing to help. However, something about the way Psyche looked at Helena, about the way she stared her right in the eye, wasn't right. It was almost as if she either knew something, which as alarmed and flustered as she was couldn't be possible, or her conscious mind was burying something deeper, almost like a trigger.

Then the Earthquakes hit, and it only added to Psyche's panic. Calmly, however, she ducked underneath a desk, held in place telekinetically by Psyche. It wasn't exactly something Psyche would do, but anything to put her mind off her was welcomed, even if it meant ignoring everything else.

  Nokomis said "I'm going to go get in touch with StormWalker.  We don't have time to waste with an extra crisis!!"

JOrdan waves his hand. "Go I'll get you backup as soon as I can, jsut make sure he gets back in one piece.

  Nokomis nodded, and headed off for the door, intending to get in touch with StormWalker.

Mirage was shook against the frame of Katy Watsons office door.  Psyche was temporarily forgotten as the building around her shook.  Still, there was something about the way that Katy had responded.  Earthquakes had priority for the moment however.

"Jordan!  What the hells going on?" she called out across the station.  Weston shouldn't be suffering earthquakes.

ooC: Is mirage co0ming out of the office as MIrage or random disguise?

OOC:  Random disguise.  I forgot about having Mirage change back.

JOrdan looks at the woman demanding information of him. "And who the hell are you? I don't have time for this" He turns to his subordinates. "Get Boyarski up here have him assemble a swat team we'll worry babout random earthquakes later the Deputy mayor is our top priority."

  A figure with her face hidden behind a metallic mask was descending into visual range through the windows, and she approached the doors of the station.

At different locations, slimy, oozing things resembling oversized human hands with oily, feathered wings appeared in puffs of smoke near Cpl. Ken Ustinov and Capt. James Scott. They told the officers, "I'm just a subtle threat," as they uploaded the call to the brigade meeting at the Mayor's office into their minds via their suits.

Mirage cursed softly.  Of course Jordan wasn't going to recognize her in her current disguise.  She walked over to him, stumbling a bit as the ground shook once more, and put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

"You know me, Darling.  I just have a new look." Mirage said calmly.  There couldn't be too many people who called Jordan 'Darling' so hopefully that would be enough.  There was quite a bit going on at the moment and Mirage did not want to reveal herself too easily, not when her appearance coudl work to her advantage.

She gestured to the woman floating outside of the police station window.  "Do you know her?"

Jordan nodded as the woman's identity clicked in his brain. "The Deputy Mayor's been kidnapped by what we believe to be a group of Parahuman Terrorists calling themselves the New Parahuman Army. We tried your base and no ones answering." He looked aout the window at the woman before nodding at her. "Thats the New Para in town, StormWalker she came here from california."

Mirage glanced out at Stormwalker.  Another new Para?

"I can't speak for the others, darling, but you know how I love to be a girl about town." she said.  "I'm here now and you've got my attention.  What can I do to help?  Do you know where they're keeping the Deputy Mayor?  Have they made any demands?"

Jordan shakes his head. "We don't know where tehy are but we've got guys sscouring the city for htem though that'll taek time we don't have. They left a ransom note they want ustto disband the local Para Regsitration office."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Wed 13 Oct 2010.

  StormWalker said quietly "Nokomis said I was needed.  How can I help?"

Jordan looked around, "Is Katy here? If you can have her find the Deupty Mayor then we can focus on a rescue effort we'd appreciate the help with thtat as well."

"I can't argue with that." Mirage said simply.  She hadn't registered and had no intention of ever doing so.  "I do have to take offense at how they're going about it.  Shall I wait around then?"

JOrdan nods. "Or if you can join in the search taht wo0uld be just as helpful you can cover a lot more ground than my men can by car or foot."

Mirage glanced back to Katy's office.

"I think that she's still here.  I'll go and round her up and we'll go take a look around for the Deputy Mayor.  Where was he last seen?"

Mirage looked over at Stormwalker.  She didn't know this para nor what Stormwalker could do.  Best to keep an eye on her until Mirage could properly take her measure.

"Since you seem to be the new face around here, Stormwalker, why don't you join us?  We'll have ourselves a lovely little team-up."

  StormWalker said "I would be delighted to work with you.  Nokomis usually only contacts me when things are a little too deep for regular police work."

Jordan's phone rigns he looks at the caller id sighs and answers it.

"Then let's gather up our Ms. Hanson and be on our way." Mirage said with a smile.  "I'll be a minute.  Have you met Katy Hanson?"

She turned and marched back to Katy's office.  "Katy?  We have work to do darling and have need of your talents."

  She said "I haven't been introduced, no."  And smiled at Mirage with a wry expression.  Her face was obscured by a mirrorlike mask.

"We just got an anonymous tip." Jordan informed the gathered femme fatales. "He's being held in the second floor of the Chemax bulding."

"The Chemax building?  I know where it is.  I can be there momentarily." Mirage said, glancing around to see if Katy had joined them.  "I doubt that we'll have time to plan out anything too spectacular, so it'll be a sneak and snatch.  I assume that you are somewhat stealthy, Stormwalker?  Or are you more of a distraction sort?"

  She smiled, and said "I make an excellent distraction, since I'm bulletproof.  So, I'll make lots of flashes and noise, get them to shoot at me, and you two can get the deputy mayor free."

Katy was currenlty no where in sight. Jordan moved beside the femme fatales. "I'd hurry if I were you we don't know when they'd start to get, impatient."

  She nodded, and said to Mirage "If you can get us both there, let's do it."

Mirage frowned in the direction of Katy's office.  Where had she gone?  Katy, or rather Lady Psyche, was just as anxious to jump into a fight as Mirage was, and now that there was a fight brewing, Lady Psyche was no where to be found.

Curious.

Mirage held out her hand to Stormwalker.  "Take them my then, darling.  I'll get us as close as I can."

>>>> To Chemax Building

>>>>>>>>>>From The Suburbs>>>>>>>>>>

Dragon Fist arrived soon at the police station. After having to verify some things that he was indeed Dragon Fist, he then asked for Detective Martinez of the Weston SCU.

  They directed him back to Esteban's desk with an arched eyebrow.

Dragon Fist nodded, and then went to Esteban's desk.

"Hello..St..Detective Martinez...I need to talk to you about something. In private preferably."

  Stevie nodded, clearly curious what Dragon Fist wanted to talk to him about, and kicked Jesse out of his office.

Dragon Fist waited for Jesse to leave, and then shut the door to the office.

"I..I just wanted to check and make sure your recovery was going well. And to tell you how sorry I am for what happened. I...I also need your help. I believe that I may have an angle on who our mysterious arsonist is.."

    Stevie slapped his shoulder, and said "Recovering, but it's still got rough spots.  What's eating at you?"

Dragon Fist sat down and looked at Esteban.

"This arsonist...I believe I know who he is. But..that requires a story. A few months back, we tangled with a group that was led by a supervillain known as Brain. He had several henchmen, one of which was named Flamethrower...James Cullen. We fought....and..well, he's dead now. Or so I thought. I believe that his spirit may be possessing others and focusing his power using their body as a conduit. I know you have some knowledge in the paranormal...do you know if there might be a way to stop him?"

  His brother cocked his head, and said "Well, yes, I know a little about possession.  Tell me all your suspicions."

Dragon Fist sat back.

"Well....I've come upon some new abilities. I can sense the chi of others...and this person's chi was not his own..but of Flamethrower's. He even taunted me in a roundabout way. Then his host became unconscious, then they woke up and had no recollection of how they arrived where I found them."

  Esteban nodded, and said "Sounds like temporary unanchored possession."

Dragon Fist replied, "Do you know of a way to track this person? The Flamethrower that I knew was completely insane, and he will more than likely strike again."

  Stevie sighed, and said "I don't.  I'm not sure the Padre does either.  You may need a mage, if there are any left."

"I know of at least two..but they're a little busy at the moment."

Dragon Fist then stood to his feet and extended his hand.

"Thank you, Detective. Keep in touch, ok?"

He wanted to say a lot more to his brother but had to keep appearances up.

  Esteban grabbed his hand, and gave him a punch in the shoulder.  Like a brother would.  "Don't be a stranger."

After they shook hands, Dragon Fist exited the police station. He needed help with this situation...mage help, but Ozzy had went along with the others into Hell. A decision he didn't approve of, but knew that they would take that action anyway.

He leaped into the air and flew back to parts that were familiar.

>>>to The Dragon and The Tiger>>>

>>> From the Chemax building

Mirage reappeared in the police station and placed the Deputy Mayor in front of Captain Jordan.

"Keep him under wraps for a bit, darling.  I'm going to see if I can find out what's going on."  As she spoke, her image shifted from a sexy woman in a slinky dress to an exact duplicate of the Deputy Mayor.  Jordan should get the hint.

Mirage blew him a kiss as she vanished once more.

>>> To the Chemax building

----> from Barnes & Noble  (the streets thread)

Finding a parking space, Rodger parked and got out, looking around for any bystander witnesses to be wary of before he locked his car door and headed inside.

Not seeing anything out of the ordinary, the evil wizard (still in civilian mode) headed inside to find Capt. James Scott and (or so he thought) Don Derring for this game business. He was totally out of the loop as to what the plans were, but showing up to do his part was proper, whether he liked his role or not.

Captain Scott was at his desk as he saw Rodger walk in.

Rodger surreptitiously glanced one way, then the other, but didn't see Don in the office. So I've gotten here a bit early, Rodger supposed, unaware of Don's encounter with the Baron and ensuing trouble earlier today.

"Hello, Captain... may I come in?" he asked from the doorway.

Captain Scott motioned for Rodger to enter into the office.

"Come in, Mr. Eskin."

Rodger slunk in, taking a seat and sitting down looking rather sheepish, if not shifty. All this high-security, classified stuff he wasn't allowed to know about going on around him was still disconcerting. So the wizard kept quiet, unless spoken to, knowing that the police captain knew far more about what he needed to do for whatever this was than he did. Much like when the Brigade had been called together; he might have the power, but they were the ones who were in charge far more than he was. And the demons above the rest.

"It would seem that we have a problem, Mr. Eskin," Captain Scott said dryly. "A few of our...people...they seem to be unavailable at the moment. I haven't been able to get a hold of Derring for a better part of the day now, and that has me concerned."

"That doesn't sound like him at all," Rodger mused. Either as a businessman, or as Hunter, there ought to have been contact with Don. Lack of him would do... what, to the demons' plans? He didn't know.

"Who else is out of contact?" he asked after a few moment's thought, that 'few' indicating to his mind that it might not just be Don.

"There are a couple of others...Nickel might be one of them as well..."

"Isn't he one of yours... both ways?" Rodger asked softly, remembering that phone conversation at the Gysbourne mansion where Johnny had said something that tipped Rodger off that he could be a cop.

"Should I attempt to scry one of them? I have the mana for it," he asked after that was answered. As the only time he'd ever cast black spells so far was for the Deputy Mayor's rescue attempt, he had a decent supply of that color available to him. "Or should I test out summoning spells and pray one of them is a 'summon clown' under a freaky name?"

"No better time than the present...let's see what you can summon up, Rodger."

"All right..." Rodger pantomimed rolling up his sleeves while his eyes unfocused, searching his spell menus for something that sounded unappetizing in black.

He found a spell with summon in its' name pretty fast. 4 minor charges, but yes, it was a summons. Of something.

He clicked on it... and it brought up his gemstone display, requesting a target from the selection. Oh dear. He worried that it might be another one like the postal pigeons, that went to the designated person. But he wouldn't know if he didn't try it.

Silently praying that he wasn't messing anything up, he mentally clicked on one of the small gems. The spell activated... "Summon Girtabilu!"

The room seemed to shake as power built in the air, runes bubbling out of the warped space to form a twisted, distorted pentagram on the floor with echoing pseudo-Gregorian chants of what sounded like obscenities resounded around them and down the hall.

The floor flexed, tearing open like an iris with brimstone fumes billowing up out of it. Rising out of the floor was a creature that was human from the waist up, but a huge scorpion from the waist down. It bore a distinct resemblance to the man whose gem had been clicked (for it was that member of the brigade, called into this alternate form to play the part of the conjured horror), but his skin was considerably darker than normal, with bronze overtones, and his nails were like chitinous claws.

On top of the desk appears first a pentagram and thena strange scorpion creature. The creature looks around wildly. "The hell?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Mon 01 Nov 2010.

Captain Scott recognized the voice.

"Derring? Um...should I even ask what the hell happened to you?"

Rodger blinked. "Err... hello," feeling more than a bit confused about what the spell had done.

"Got jumped and kidnapped." The strange creature replied. "Can I turn back? This form is really uncomfortable?"

"I'm not sure how to dismiss my spells early yet, unless it has some built-in weakness." Rodger said sheepishly. "Who kidnapped you, Don?"

He was glad that the summons had worked, but his lack of knowledge about his powers could be crippling when it came to stuff that really ought to have been a simple, straight answer.

Captain Scott sat back in his chair.

"Yes....who DID kidnap you Don?"

"Nothing you need concern yourself with Rodger though if Captain Scott could inform Captain Jordan that Don says our nightmares have come back to haunt us I'd appreciate it."

Captain Scott nodded, then got on the phone.

"I need to speak to Captain Jordan right away."

Rodger nodded slowly. Nightmares. That didn't sound good to him. His own nightmares were quite bad enough, thank you, without someone elses' nightmares invading real life.

"Do you see any kind of power bar or gauge in your internal displays, Don? I know with my Rich Man form, there's a power bar and I turn back when it's depleted." Rodger asked the scorpion monster softly.

"So thats what that is Yeah its going down." Don moved around a bit, clacking his claws. "Y'know this form is actually kind of badass, might be nice for scaring punks..."

"I doubt I'd be with you to conjure you into it when you're going after said punks, though." Rodger answered, eying the huge claws warily. He agreed that this form did look pretty 'badass' and quite dangerous. Maybe it was a monster for other players to fight in the 'game'? He didn't know. But if his experiences with Ancient Spirits of Evil were any example, Don ought to be reverting to his human self in less than 2 hours, probably a lot sooner.

Hopefully that wouldn't delay or mess up whatever this meeting was intended for too badly.

"Point." Don replied turning to Captain Scott. "So we about to reveal why you wante me here?"

"There are others among our number that are missing. We're not sure what's going on...Nickel somehow is off the map for the moment. I certainly hope that we haven't been ratted out."

"YOu can't be suggesting that either of us breached security? I have just as much to lose as the rest of you if this gets out."

"If we have been, who would have done it? We're all dependent on the same supply of mana to stay alive." Rodger asked quietly, gesturing with one hand a bit. "Except for Hotwire and Erinyes, I don't know of any paras who can spot us, either."

Captain Scott shook his head. "I have just as much to lose in this as both you and Eskin. No...someone within our number may be trying to expose us...either that or someone's found us out without any of us knowing it."

"So you don't know the identity of the traitor...What do you suggest we do about it?"

"Since whoever kidnapped you apparently isn't involved with the game, perhaps if either of you knows which gem is St. Johnny's in my display I could use Summon Girtabilu again and bring him here. Then compare notes to find out if the kidnappers are connected to each other." Rodger suggested after a little thought and checking his mana charges.

"If I remember correctly, I believe it would be the Sapphire gem."

"Which of the five sapphires, though? I know one of the three small ones is Mayor Boyd's gem, but no idea who rest map to."

Don scurried off the table so Roger could do his work

Rodger looked at Don, then at Captain Scott. "Should I just cast it at any random gem, and pray I get lucky a second time, than?"


OOC: Did Captains Scott and Jordan complete their phone call by this time? I never saw Captain Jordan responding anywhere, and being in the room, well, I would have thought we'd both overhear it.

Captain Scott frowned as he was unable to get a hold of Captain Jordan.

"Not sure where Jordan is but from what Derring said, it sounds like some seriously bad news."

"It is, well if you can't reach him can you call my family  adn tell them I'm okay? Just hold the phone up to my 'face' adn I'll do the talking."

Captain Scott placed a call to the Derring residence.

Family? With Ellen's loss, I didn't know he had any left, Rodger wondered, still unaware of Diantha's existence.

He sat in his seat quietly, listening to what was said with half an ear, but most of his thoughts were on trying to remember things from the day he'd delivered the suits. If he could recall peoples' numbers, and test multiple gems, he might be able to figure out a pattern and be able to make a more accurate guess at which gem was the bond to Johnny Nickel.

Sapphire 2....Nickel's gem was able to come up for Rodger as he searched.

Not paying attention to Rodger, Captain Scott continued to hold the phone while Don conversed with his family.

Standing up, and moving a bit away (as best the office allowed) from the phone call, Rodger looked for a decent place to summon the next scorpion centaur, this Girtabilu creature that Don was at the moment.

Deciding on a spot, Rodger returned to his spell menu, the same spell still on top to use again, and clicked. He aimed at the gem be believed (hoped) was Jon Nickel's. "Summon Girtabilu!"

And the spell animation repeated, as it had before.





OOC: I assume you mean the second sapphire gem, the first in the small ones? Since prisoner #2 was Captain Scott himself. Msg #12 in this same thread.

St. Johnny soon appeared in the room.

"Whoa....wuzzat...the end of the world is upon...oh it's you, Eskin..."

Rodger grinned at Johnny the scorpion monster. "Shhh..." he warned in a low voice, "Don's on the phone with someone who isn't one of us."

"Has something been going on?" he continued in a half-whisper. "Captain Scot said some of us weren't answering when he tried to get in touch. We were afraid you might have been, well, in trouble."

Nickel looked around.

"I'm not sure Rodg. I was..um..some place dark, I thought I heard a voice or something..and next thing I know..I'm here.."

"Well, the 'I'm here' part was me summoning you. How'd you get in this dark place? What did it sound like the voice was saying?" Rodger said to Nickel, still keeping his voice down.

"I was watching at my post at the mall..and then everything went black. Then a man's voice loomed over me, saying that the Light of Truth would shine upon us..and then I was here.."

"How peculiar. The light of truth? That sounds like something up a religious alley," Rodger mused, crossing one arm over his chest and resting the other on it as he fingered his mustache, thinking. "Once they're done with the phone, tell Captain Scott everything you can remember. You weren't the only clown kidnapped recently." He sounded worried, and he was.

Nickel nodded, then sat quietly as he waited for Captain Scott.

Rodger also waited for Don and Captain Scott to finish. He sat back down and worried, thinking over what he knew of and praying that there were sensible, mundane explanations for the kidnappings.

Captain Scott slammed the phone.

"Damnit..I can't get a hold of Jordan.." he said as he continued to hold the phone for Don.

Rodger quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing. For all he knew, the officer that Captain Scott was trying to reach could be on the toilet, in a meeting, questioning a suspect, kidnapped too, or deep in trying to deal with a critical case. He was just a civilian, despite being the Wizard, and didn't know much about the internal niceties of the police department or the habits of individual cops.

Having finsihed his phone call the scoprion creature asked. "Are you trying his office or his cell phone?"

"Trying his office. Geez...didn't think the cell phone was necessary. Guess I'm trying that next..."

Rodger stayed quiet in his chair, listening. For some reason part of his thoughts went veering off into the wild blue yonder, wondering (in the privacy of his skull) what the NADs were up to tonight.

Jordan picked up check the messaging thread.

Captain Scott continued to converse with Captain Jordan.

Captain Scott then ended the call, then turned to Don.

"Jordan is on his way to see you."

"is that wise with me looking the way I do?"

"It sounded urgent. Somehow I don't think he's going to care what you look like."

"Oh wait looks like its about to." When suddenly The scorpion thing reverted back to Dond dressed in nothing but a pair of black pants and definitely for wear. He'd obviously been tortured his feet and back look like they took the worst of it.

A quick rap to the door and Captain Jordan steps in stopping and blinking twice to see a middle aged school teacher a scorpion monster and a very battered Don all in Captain Scott's office. Choosing on the latter he steps forward. "Don you look like hell, please tell me that message doesn't mean what I think it means."

"Afraid so, Brain's back in Yuri's body and he's out for revenge. Let me see your phone I'm going to give the others a call." Don stood up grimacing  and took Jordan's phone and sent out two text messages.

"C'mon I keep some extra clothes in my office. I'll get you a shirt and shoes." ANd Jordan and Don went to Jordan's office.

>>>>>>>>>From The Rooftops>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dragon Fist landed at the police station, and Stormwalker more than likely was not far behind.

He briefly buzzed by Detective Martinez' desk and made his way to Captain Jordan's office.

  Indeed, StormWalker was right behind him.  She was feeling a bit weird coming in when nobody else knew of a crisis, even in her costume.

Hunter was currently trying to get a pair of dress shoes on his very tender shirt. He was wearing a white button up and black pants and definitely looked worse for wear.

"Damn..." Dragon Fist remarked as he saw Hunter, beaten up as he was.

If Hunter asked him about the new armor, Dragon Fist replied, "Long story. I'll tell you after this is all over."

Hunter nods. "Where's Mirage? I think they may have already got Hotwire."

"Not sure, I haven't seen her ever since we got back from Texas."

"Damn we'll have to operate the assumption she's already been captured."

"Looks like it's us then...by the way, this is Stormwalker...a prospective member, though I can vouch for her..."

  A figure in ninja tabis appeared, and sank a short, broad-bladed knife into Hunter's back just where it would cut off all movement below the waist, and vanished with him.

"What the--? HUNTER!"

Ghostwolf was too fast for him...and in an instant, Hunter was gone.

  A bolt of lightning streaked through where Ghostwolf had appeared a second after he vanished, and StormWalker said "DAMMIT!"

The Door went flying off its hinges revealing Shock behind it letting out a burst of Lightning at Dragon Fist.

"Son of a--"

Dragon Fist felt an impact of the bolt. He then came at Shock with great speed with a chi-charged sidekick.

Shock's eyes glowed white as he moved incredibly moved towards the other side of the room firing another blast.

Dragon Fist was hit by the second blast. He briefly looked at Stormwalker.

Damnit Lucas...remember the lessons that Kimeran taught you...

His eyes glowed for a moment, and once Shock made his move, he would use the power of Air to interpret his movements so he could counterattack.

  "DOWN!!"  Lightning shot out in a horizontal plane, as she tried to hit Shock.  But she was seized and a knife tried to stab into her body, the blade shattering on her skin as GhostWolf vanished with HER in hand.

  A moment later, Dragon Fist was seized and tazed as he was 'ported away.

-->> To Brain's Lair!!

"You won't....unh...."

>>>>>>>>>To Brain's Lair>>>>>>>>>

As the chaos unfolded, Rodger cowered in Captain Scott's office, not knowing what to do to help... or if he was even permitted to. But the super battle was over almost as fast as it started, giving way to police work as officers scrambled under Jordan's barked orders.

"Johnny - don't forget to give Captain Scott your report about your own kidnapping," he had the presence to say, completely forgetting for the moment that the man was far more of a professional at law enforcement than he was.

"Err... what should I do, sir?" he asked the captain himself. "Call the New Age Defenders and tell them about this? Summon Don back again? Summmon someone else?" It was clear that the teacher-wizard was at a loss for what he was supposed to do in an urgent situation like this. It was vastly different than the sorts of crises one encountered normal, mundane life.

"You can try summoning Derring back again...that seemed to work...the only consolation is that this takes up most of their attention..."

Rodger nodded, and his eyes unfocused seeking the spell again. It took some searching this time, as the spell menus had shifted again, but he found it.

"Summon Girtabilu!" his deep spellcasting voice intoned after he clicked first on the spell, then on Don's ruby in his mental display.

  A fine scroll of text went across Rodger's vision:  Target out of range.

"What the...? He's out of range," Rodger reported. He immediately checked his mana charges to see if that had used up the mana for the spell or hadn't used any.

Rodger's brows lowered over his unfocused eyes, "Um... what does it mean that one of the gems is flashing? It's a small ruby, the one I aimed at when I summoned Don." he asked out loud, puzzled by this indicator.

A look of horror went over Captain Scott's face.

"Th....that hasn't happened before. That could suggest....oh no...a possible break in the chain....this is bad..."

"What do you mean, a break in the chain?" Rodger's gaze came into focus as he looked at the police captain, worrying. Yet again, his own lack of knowledge and not being told so many things about his android condition was rearing its' ugly head.

"Try the You Got Better spell Rodger...that HAS to work..."

"You Got Better?' he asked, then his eyes unfocused as he looked for it. With a flashing gem, it was right in front when he opened the menus, flashing too. He hadn't seen a spell name do that before.

Clicking on it, it brought up the gem display, wanting a gem to target. The mental cursor was already framing the flashing ruby as his only option though. *click*

"You Got Better!" his spellcasting voice intoned.

No gestures or other animation happened regarding his person, oddly, but a pentagram draw itself immediately, one line in each of the five mana colors with runes bubbling off the edges in fractal patterns. Without any fanfare or noise, the middle flexed open, and bloody red light pulse upwards in a glowing column coagulating into runes inside that then started to condense, much as the iguana creating spell had, forming a human skeleton, then organs and muscles over that, and clownishly white skin (with a fat red nose) followed by a Santa Claus suit. All in a matter of heartbeats.

The pentagram and light faded, leaving Don Derring the clown Santa. Resurrected, in a fresh android body, ready to be blown up. Well, physically ready to be a balloon, at least.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Thu 04 Nov 2010.

THe clown Santa sighed visibly. "Wasn't sure if that part was going to work"

"Don?? What happened? I tried summoning you the other way but you were out of range." Rodger asked, half-babbling.

"Got taken by an evil megalomaniac, Give me a second to get my bearings and I'll explain." SantaDon sat down in a nearby chair. After a moment he spoke up. "Six months ago a Psychic holding an artifact of unrivaled psychic power tried to take over the world wasn't publicized a lot but the Legacy stopped him. He came back in Yuri Ivan's body and well He just sacrificed himself to kill us... I think the others got out in time but I was a bit farther back with a severed spine."

Rodger cringed, wincing in sympathy. Well, it looked like Don's spine was working just fine now, at least.

"I hope they're all right. That sounds dreadful."

He glanced at Nickel (now in his human form?), and back to Don again, thinking about this missing members issue for a second. "If this madman came back once, can he do it again?" the teacher-wizard asked, sounding very worried.

Santa Don shrugged. "I'm not sure. Its possible if he did it before but somehow I doubt it he let out essentially a psychic bomb."

"Oh dear. I hope you don't get kidnapped again... I'm low enough on black mana now that I'd rather not summon anybody again until more is generated. So what were we supposed to be meeting here about, anyway?"

"Me too Rodger Me too." Looking to Captain Scott he asks. "You've got something planned for christmas right? Lets hurry this up so I can get home."

Captain Scott looked at both Rodger and Don.

"The reason we've come together...is because there is suspicion that there may be a traitor in our group. Someone who may try to expose us. I don't know who..but if this comes out, we are all in a great deal of trouble."

Rodger quirked an eyebrow. That idea had been suggested here, in the earlier talks while recovering people, but didn't explain why the meeting had been called in the first place. The order for it had come from the demons, what, last week? He didn't remember exactly. But the possibility of a traitorous player in their little game was very worrisome, none the less.

"As for other matters, this meeting was called for because it has been suggested by our superiors to make merry in the streets...to go undercover. Use the cover of the holiday season to hopefully access places that may have been closed to us before."

Rodger listened closely. Both to understand what was planned, and to sure he knew his part or place in it. After all, he didn't want to mess anyone else up, with their lives all entangled with each other like they were. He wondered, but didn't say anything out loud, how the traitor (assuming it was an inside mole and not someone outside the game) planned to avoid the consequences of their actions.

"Can we cut the dramatics and get to the point? My teams probably on their way to tell my family I'm dead."

"We were going to stage something at the annual Weston Christmas Parade. Sort of an unofficial test for our friends in the Legacy."

Christmas parade? That sounded interesting, Rodger thought, making a mental connection between planned Christmas game events and Don's particular clown look. It would explain why he'd been the clown called. But... his poor family. What kind of trauma would they be going through if the Legacy told them Don was dead, and then they found out they'd been lied to? Well, not exactly lied, but it amounted to the same thing.

He listened, concern and sympathy for Don vying in his expression. What sort of cockamamie story would need to be cooked up (and lived up to as if truth afterward) in order to get Don out of this mess? He didn't have an immediate answer.

Family meant a lot to Rodger.

Don nodded. "Send me the details. How do I turn this off so I can go home?"

"Rodger...will you do the honors and dismiss the spell?"

"Can't you just deflate? Oh... you were already in clown form when you materialized. I don't know, than." Rodger mused, trying to come up with an answer for his landlord (ex-landlord?).

"Maybe give them another phone call? Your voice is the same in this form."

In reply to Eskin's Peeps (msg #325):

"I don't know how."

The Clown Santa shook its head. "I'd rather show up in person.

Rodger sighed. He understood the preference, but how to explain Don's current look (and survival) without breaking security? At the moment, he was pulling a blank trying to come up with a plausible-sounding story seed for Don to spin into something his family could accept. Not that Rodger had known he had any family left, before today. Hmm.

Captain Scott sighed and told Rodger.

"Here is how to dismiss the spell...simply recite this...'The red-garbed man has made his flight...now vanish away as if after Christmas night..'

Rodger listened, and repeated the incantation. He crossed his fingers hoping that it would just turn Don back to his human self, not make him vanish away entirely.

DOn appeared completely unharmed in a dark blue suit. Looking himself over he waved to the others. "Send me the details"" Walking out he hailed a cab and headed home.

>>TO VAN DIEMIEN HOUSE>>

Rodger half-slumped with relief in his chair. "Whew."

Being an evil wizard wasn't an easy job, even without the evil part. Once Don had left, he looked at the two policemen (Capt. Scott and Johnny Nickel), unsure what was next. "Are there codes like that for dismissing the rest of our clown forms?" he asked after a few moments' thought. "Or does it just apply to resetting something after that You Got Better spell?"

"Yes there are, Rodger.....and we'd better be thankful that this little escapade has diverted unwanted attention away from us."

The teacher nodded glumly. "So, with this going on, what do I need to prepare for or do, if anything, for the game tomorrow and Christmas?" That was easier for him to try to deal with than the possible traitor, seeing as he was the only one of them who didn't have security clearance or a contractual agreement to be part of this whole demon game. Social matters, maybe showing up to cast certain spells to aid the others, much simpler on the mind than trying to solve the mystery of Johnny's kidnapping right now.

"Not sure yet, Rodger.....we will need to reconfigure some things...one of us will contact you..."

He nodded, "All right. So I should just head home and take care of my own business, for now?"

Captain Scott nodded. "Go home to the wife and kids, Rodger."

"Thank you, sir."

Rodger stood up, departing out into the hall with no further ado. And started for the exit from the police station, trying to keep out of the way of any of the busy officers swarming the place.

Reaching the lobby, Rodger paused and looked back. He sighed, turned, and kept on his way out. He needed to gorge on ice cream again after that craziness.

And the sad reminder that being an android could mean lots of agony. Don's spine severed? That must have been horrible. Thank God his new body was unharmed. Still, he wasn't looking forward to getting his ass handed to him by superheros as a consequence of 'game' activities. Ouch.

Our pain is your gain, he heard Dastardly's remembered voice saying in his thoughts as he got in his car. He wished, oh he wished that this whole 'game' was just a nightmare or feverish delirium he was having and that he'd wake up.

-----> Derring Condominiums

Don was in the morgue Rick had pulled some strings so he could be alone with is failure. Standing over Quiks pale lifeless body Don whispered. "I'm sorry kid, I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you rgirl and I'm sorry the life I convinced you to pursue didn't work out and most of all I'm sorry you didn't get another chance to do things right."

"Its not your fault Don. " A voice said from the doorway as Captain Richard Jordan stepped into the morgue.

Don turned at the voice. " I know that, I know I can't save everyone, but htat doesnt' stop it from being frustrating.

Hunter raises up a hand when his phone starts buzzing. "One second" PIcking up the phone h held it toh is ear. "Hello?

  "Don?  Come home.  There's been . . . a problem."

KNowing better than to ask questions on an unsecure line Don said. "I'm on my way see you in a few." Turning to rick he said. "I have to catch you alter Rick thers trouble at home."

With that he exited got in his car and drove home.

>TO VAN DIEMIEN HOUSE>>

  Nokomis was sitting at her desk doing reports.  She'd fitted well into the Weston PD, and had been keeping herself fairly quiet since the mess around Christmas.

>>> From Mirages Place

OOC:  I'm going to assume that Mirage gave Nokomis the finger a few days ago, just so that we're caught up in the same timeline.  Hopefully this won't create any problems.

Mirage appeared at the edge of Nokomis desk ins a swirl of crimson smoke and long fluttering skirts.  She casually crossed her long, shapely legs, allowing a generous view through the long slit in her skirt.

"Hello, Officer Kellington.  Have you had a chance to look into the item that I gave you?" she asked calmly.  It was an act of course.  Mirage was just waiting for a name or some other lead to follow up on.

  She smiled, and said "Just the lady I've been dying to see.  I got the fingerprint back.  Full match.  Here's the information on that.  Wasn't enough of a clear print on the ring to match it to anything, but I think you might find something else interesting."  She handed Mirage another file, and added in a whisper "Looks like there may be a lead from the finger's apartment.  Care to go to the fingerprints department with me?"

"Lead on, Darling." Mirage sat up from the desk and followed behind Nokomis.

As she walked, thin wisps of crimson smoke wrapped themselves around her, changing her appearance.  Her hat and veil disappeared.  Her long slinky dress morphed into a knee length skirt and blouse.  Her facial features blurred for an instant as they changed as well.  Mirage thought that it would draw less attention if she were not in costume.  Better to not have to worry about Nokomis attracting attention either.

  Nokomis brought her to the Fingerprints Division, and there they BOTH learned that the Finger's apartment had been broken into and they had been murdered.  For their finger, apparently!  But the face that went to the fingerprints, the person that had broken in and killed the woman . . . that was a face Mirage knew.

Mirages eyes narrowed and her fists clenched so tightly that her nails threatened to pierce her palm.  That man again.  Her own personal demon and one that she would happily exorcise with her stiletto heels into the mans heart.

"What do you have on him?" she asked flatly.  Mirage felt the urge to put her fist through the monitor that displayed the mans face.  Mirages usual sensual nature had disappeared the instant that she saw the mans face.  Nokomis would probably see her stiffen up though she tried to hide it.  Her voice was stern, almost murderous.  "Give me any leads and I'll look into this."

  Nokomis handed her a woefully thin file, and said "Lots of bookings, no convictions.  Slipperier than an eel.  Everything we have on him is in there.  Keep that copy, it's all on computers, so I can print more."

Mirage took the offered file and opened it up to read through it.  There must be something in the file that would give her a clue to where her enemy was.

  It listed several rent-by-the-week addresses, all in the same general area of town, and all of them cheap.  He seemed to favor the seedy, dark side of town.  She could probably find him, if she looked around there a bit.

Mirage read over the file, memorizing what locations she could.

I'm getting closer to finding you, you sick bastard.

"Thanks for the information, Nokomis.  Now I have a good place to start looking for this psycho.  Let me know if you hear anything else about this guy or any other similar victims."

>>> To the Seedy part of town

----> from Hospital (post-timeskip, Dec. 27th)

For Rodger, it had been confusing, waking up in a roughly spherical room with myriad runes all over the walls and multi-colored energies zipping through the runic circuitry. No doors, windows, or any sign any had ever existed, but there was a sign. And it said, "If you can read this, cast YOU GOT BETTER, as soon as possible. Target the onyx gem at the bottom of the selection screen."

Doing so, the runes around him reacted, the ceiling irising open and the floor under his feet rising like a hydraulic lift carrying him up. At least, from his point of view that's how it worked. To the outside world, looked the same as when he'd revived Don Derring via this same spell.

Returned to physical life, Rodger found himself in a small room, in his Clumsy Charlie clown form. Several cameras and monitors were along the walls, along with other equipment he didn't immediately put a name to. He was standing in the middle of a complex pentagram inlaid into the floor. Somehow, he had a feeling he'd been in here before, but couldn't place it.

There was a door, a normal door. And when the clown tested the knob, it turned. So he opened it, looking outside. He couldn't see, yet, the sign on the outside of the door warning people that the room beyond (the one he'd appeared in) was for Project Life Restraint personnel only.



----> to Derring Condominiums with officers, after a short time.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:38, Tue 07 Dec 2010.

>>>>>>>>>From The NAD HQ>>>>>>>>>>

Dragon Fist landed at the police station, knowing where to go to see Detective Martinez. Once there, he waited for Mirage on the roof before entering.