This place is a nightmare. Ever since the war ended and the known governments and opposing forces weakened, all hell broke loose. Because of the awakening of new means of power, this gave opportunity for several ones to rise and create their own empire. The streets were stained in blood from brutal violence. Rapes, looting, collateral damage, major drug usage, and organized crime was the norm here. Even the Black market have become the new main way of commerce.

With crime and new factions rising to fight for territory, the poor police didn't have a chance. The innocents and other civilians that had nothing to do with the chaos, was stuck in the middle. It didn't make things better when the prison was broken into from the outside to let all the psychos out to join the fun. This led the stamping that the law enforcement were no long in control. Outnumber and severely and hilariously out gunned, the cops had no other choice but to pick and choose what was worth fighting against.

There were rumors that the mayor is corrupt and in cahoots with the established factions to make our lives hell and controlled. I wouldn't put it past him. After the law enforcement fell, many were forced to cooperate with the factions as if they were now the only means of "protection". With magic, the supernatural, the chi forces, the spliced, the cyber connection, the evolved, the weapon toters, the drug enhancers, the numbers and numbers of supporting followers and street fighting runners, and the all around weird being the main source of power that's crippled the city, one would think that the fighting for what's right it's nothing but a pipe dream. I'm here.....no.....we are here to make fighting for what's right a reality. And I will make damn sure of that.



Holton Slums. It's what we call home. Well....one of the places we call home. In our line of work, we need a place to sort of relax and a place to meet for debriefing. Not the best place but it will have to due if we want to be discreet. Do you expect us to be in a huge sky scraper with the side of the building saying Vendetta Inc. in big bold letters on it? Deep in the alleyways there's a bar next to a rundown hotel we meet at named, Safe Haven. We can get our drinks, food, a little rest and calls from the only one that can reach us, Detective Alphonso Moretti of the GHPD.

We have another location, underground, where a former subway station once was. Shut down and cut off from the rest of the train system, this place serves as another hideaway for our group.


Casually walking down one of the alleys in Holton you saw the usual. A drunk sitting against the building with his strung out girlfriend, ho, whatever, talking crazy. A shady drug dealer wanting to see if you'd score. The typical gunshots in the distance sounding and screams of a woman getting beaten. The disgusting smell of garbage that have not be cleared in I don't know how long. The lit up signs of bars, love hotels, gun shops, small convenient stores, rundown nightclubs and so on could be seen as well. destroyed and abandoned cars and buildings were commonly seen. Rundown homes were places where the poor resided. The homeless stuck on the streets. This place was sad and hopeless....and fortunately a good place to hide as well.

Blaque was on his way back after meeting with Detective Moretti about several problems that have surfaces recently and ever growing around the city. It was about time to call for everyone so to plan ahead on what steps they were needing to bring some semblance of order and stability back into the city. Walking into Safe Haven, Blaque called for the others "Team, I need everyone to return back to Safe Haven ASAP. I know you all are either in the middle of a mission or to your own devices but as soon as you get back, there is a matter we need to discuss. Do everyone copy?" He asked the group through his ear piece before walking over to the bar to get his hands on some green tea. Usually he's very calm, not showing worry but recently, there have been disturbing things happening that his group would more than likely have their hands full with and will need a strategy in dealing with it.

Waiting for a moment, Blaque figured that if everyone couldn't make the meeting, in particular, Echo, or someone who was too deep in the mission, they could listen in.

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The man, battered and bruised from the robot's attempts to subdue him, laid bleeding on the ground beside the woman who seemed to be more-or-less in the same condition. Putting his bloodied shield down beside the young female, N.E.R.O.N knelt down to aid the woman, dispensing a medical pack and bandaging her prominent open wounds. "Are you alright ma'am?", questioned the worried automaton. The woman's blood-shot eyes opened only slightly in response to this query, only to shoot wide and alert due to the bizarre site in front of her. She seemed to lack words for the 6' robotics unit, silently voicing a sense of panic with her sole facial expression. "I am not here to harm you, your assaulter has been subdued, and you are safe", N.E.R.O.N continued, bandaging the woman's battered arm as she simply nodded into oblivion. As the android tied off the end of the surgical tape and cloth, he was stopped mid-cut by Blaque's assembling call. "Perhaps," N.E.R.O.N responded, "please give me a second to assess my current circumstance, sir"

>Women injured. Physical injuries attended to. Mental injuries? Unknown.

The robot turned back to the woman. "Are you able to speak? are you ok?", the hunk of metal asked, unsure if really anyone would give a large, strange robot an answer. Yet, to N.E.R.O.N's automated suprise, the girl squeezed out a weak "y-yes".

>Mental injuries? No. Will subject be taken care of after on-site care? Unknown.

"Do you happen to have close-by family?", proceeded the kneeling machine.

"Y-yeah"

>outside of site care confirmed. Subject: healthy.

"Then please go to them", it finished, helping the girl up and supplying her with the rest of the medical pack. In an instant she ran away, obviously spooked by the pure absurdity and terror of her evening. This was the 5th female the automated medic had helped today, truly a sad thing when you realize they were all in the same neighborhood. Anyways, now tasked with mending the senseless criminal, N.E.R.O.N commented back to his master. "I have another subject to attend to, but I am not too far away. I will be able to appear in a moment", the construction responded, proceeding to dispense his second medical pack to provide the unconscious gangster aid. Luckily for this comatose man, N.E.R.O.N was never programmed with any sense of revenge.

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Paige smiled at the Priest and went into the back of the cathedral to wait for him. She went into his office and used the few minutes to close her eyes and think. Suddenly there were lips on hers and for a moment she thought she had fallen asleep and was dreaming, but she hadn't. She was pulled to her feet by strong arms and pulled against the Priest's body hard. He kept in shape at least. His mouth and body pressed against hers and she whispered something into his ear that made him leer at her in a way that made her uneasy, although she would never show that to him. Paige smiled and let him lead her to a private apartment he kept in a supposed 'storage building'. Once inside, she murmured something to him and his eyes lit up with enthusiasm.

After a couple of hours the doorbell rang and the Priest went out to the living room and sat on the couch and spoke with a man in street clothes. Paige walked into the room in a silk jumpsuit outfit and high heels. She instantly went to the kitchen pretending to be oblivious to what was being discussed. She did catch a few words about a meta child and her capture. Paige on the exterior appeared calm and collected and slightly blushed as if recently pleasured. On the inside she was intently listening and getting as many details as she could. She was disgusted at the ease of which these deviates could discuss such barbaric activities with young girls.

"Lara," The Priest slid his arms around her waist as she was drinking a glass of water.

"Yes?" She answered with a temptingly flirtatious grin. She was glad no one could see her face when he asked her the next question. He was kissing her shoulder as the door shut to the apartment.

"Will you consider becoming my 4th wife?" He pleaded with her. He seemed unable to get enough of her and he pulled at her clothing. Paige kept her smile and widened it with mock joy and surprise.

"I thought polygamy was illegal. How do you have more than one wife?" She looked at him as he slipped a 3 carrot ring on her finger. She glanced at it and gave the expected response.

"Legally we wouldn't be married but in the eyes of the lord we would and that is all that matters." Paige nodded.

"I see." Paige handed him a drink. "I'm not used to being one of so many wives."

She acted like she was hurt and he actually said "I keep my concubines on the side in a harem but you are so much more than they are Lara." Paige wanted to vomit. Instead she appeared to take his backwards compliment as what he intended and she smiled.

"Why so many women?" She asked as she kissed his neck and dipped her fingers into his drink and then allowed him to suck on her fingers. "Is one not enough?"

"The harem is more of a training ground I guess you could say." The oversexed Priest admitted and gulped his glass of wine down. She pulled him to the couch and let him kiss her until he fell into a deep stupor. She maneuvered him onto the couch as if he fell asleep naturally and turned the tv onto his favorite show.

Paige quickly grabbed her things and told the guard outside that the 'father' had fallen asleep and not to disturb him. She smiled and said, "I'll be back later. I've some shopping to do."

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Paige wondered if he was there as she went through her routine of multiple routes home. She walked into the bar and as soon as her eyes met his she looked away and went into the back room to give her report. She couldn't help it. Her job with Vendetta had cost her dearly and it still was.

Darric had seen Paige come in and go into the back. Her eyes met his for only a second and that told him everything. She was sleeping with the guy she was trying to get info from. He became infuriated with her and with their job. They both knew when they signed up with Vendetta what they were up against, what they had to do. He was fine with her doing what she did, until he fell in love with her. Then he had a problem with the sex part in no uncertain terms. He had demanded that she stop and she had had a murderer where she wanted him and Darric had busted in and derailed the entire operation and the young woman was killed. Since then they both stayed away from each other. Nothing had changed in his heart but he knew she was doing what she had to, so he did what he had to do and right now that was stay away from her.

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@King Tai@Gutshot@Necrophage@FantasyChic@Wick@Vashonn@RumikoOhara@alexfangtalon@ham@Arcanis

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Jonathan slipped into the warehouse using the shadows just before the door was shut. There weren't many lights inside the large building other than a few flashlights and spotlights directed at the massive cargo containers in the center. Jonathan made his way to the catwalk up high above the floor and changed to LEVEL 1 in order to take a guy out with a choke hold. The guy didn't last long and luckily didn't have a gun of his own so Jonathan didn't have to worry about the man pulling the trigger to alert his allies. Jonathan placed a small bottle of heavy alcohol in the guys pocket after pouring a little on the man and down his throat to make his crew think he was drunk.

Jonathan positioned himself close to where the man had been set up to watch from and waited. It took about an hour or so before what appeared to be a few jeeps and a semi pulled in front of the building. Jonathan watched as the men inside talked through the door to those outside saying a code that Jonathan barely caught. So far the Intel Jonathan had received about this group was right, but there was already an obvious factor that wasn't in the dossier he was given. A giant mech was being used to protect the transportation the shipment. With that thing he would be lucky if it didn't spot him now. He most certainly wouldn't be able to follow it now.

He'd have to set a tracker on the container they were taking somehow. While the mech was heading towards the containers Jonathan used the opportunity to slip out a window and made his way towards the semi. Most of the guards were watching the surrounding area and not the warehouse they were using so Jonathan went LEVEL 3 and went down the side of the building and slipped past the guards hiding under the semi. He switched to LEVEL 2 and prepped three trackers just in case. One he placed in the tire of the semi and the other two would be for the container and the mech itself.

When the mech came back out Jonathan got ready to move quick. He;d have to move fast and efficiently in order to succeed without being seen. As soon as the mech stepped over beside the semi Jonathan placed a tracker in the leg plating and rolled to the other side where there were less guards and attached the final tracker to the side of the container in the bottom corner.

He quickly switched to LEVEL 3 and made his getaway hoping the trackers wouldn't be found. He traveled a couple of blocks to where his motorcycle was. He switched to LEVEL 1 and was about to pull up the trackers on his system when he got the message from Blaque. Crap. Gonna have to hope the trackers stay hidden for a little longer. Jonathan hoped on his cycle and sped away towards Safe Haven.

Didn't take him long to get there, but he still wasn't the first. He hid his cycle in the usual spot and walked right inside the bar. He looked at Darric as he walked past straight to the back. He didn't like the guy. In all honesty Jonathan didn't really like any of his 'coworkers'. To unprofessional for his tastes. Jonathan just walked past not saying a word and waited for the others to arrive.

Today was Sam's errand day, a day he would set aside to catch up on "adult" responsibilities. Sam was no stranger to the ghetto and Holton Slums was no different. More or less because anyone who looked at Sam would be weary of his augmentations. Sam tried to hide them by wearing a plain long overcoat and clothes that would more or less hide his extremities.

He couldn't hide his face though. The augmentations were like scars or tattoos, they wouldn't go unnoticed. In times like these, Sam always felt a smile or a grin would suffice to ease the edge people would have upon seeing him. At least, this is how it was for the average people who kept to themselves. The sort of people that have lived a hard life and wanted no trouble.

There were other people here in the slums. Scumbags. Shitheads. Strung out druggies. And of course the people that profit from these lowlifes. It was enough to merit a scowl from Sam but he wouldn't betray his sort of benign expression for what has become quite normal here in this place.

Sam's eyes detected a possible threat from two people that were sizing him up. Awesome, more lowlifes he thought as he kept his pace normal and gripped the grocery bags he had tighter.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Another 'borg?" one of them chimed up.

Sam ignored the comment and kept walking until one of them grabbed his shoulder. Nothing to be provoked about. Maybe I can talk it out. Sam reasoned.

"You think just cuz you got them nice parts you can just walk passed us?" the other one said.

Sam's eyes scanned them and saw they had weapons - one had a handgun tucked behind him. This was the one that first spoke - he was also bald and had the look of being in the business for awhile. Like Sam, they were of Asian descent, but he couldn't figure out what ethnicity.

The other one had his hand on a hilt - possibly a knife or something similar. His hand was held firm against Sam's upper-right chest. He was pinning Sam towards the wall, "Look here 'borg, you got some nice parts, and the way I see it... no one's going to miss you. So, you let us harvest and we'll let you live."

Sam's look didn't change.

"Don't you get it you stupid shithead? We are going to kill you," he repeated again.

They were body harvesters. People who tried to go after people with augmentations to sell their parts in the black market. Most likely the lowest rung in their organized crime organization or gang.

Without responding verbally, Sam's hands let go of the grocery bags as their contents spilled out on impact of hitting the ground. His right hand wrapped around the guy that had him pinned and with the ease of someone pressing a button to an elevator, he broke the guy's arm. The guy tried to pull back and scream but before he could Sam's other hand chopped his throat causing him to gurgle and falter back. Sam lifted one leg and kicked him away from him to allow him free reign on the remaining guy.

"W-what the fu-," before the guy could even draw the gun or get the word out, Sam was within CQC distance. Sam's hand slapping the thug's gun hand inwards to follow the thug's elbow, and instinctively straying from its possible trajectory. Sam was able to redirect the thug's arm so that it was across his shoulder. Using his free hand Sam wrapped it around the base of the man's neck and let his other elbow slam straight into his face.

Blood gushed and Sam guessed he either broke the man's cheek bone or nose. At this point, he didn't care, he was intent on finishing the combo. Sam disarmed the man's handgun and rendered it useless by dismantling it. Sam surveyed his work - one man writhing in pain and the other one holding his face with blood gushing everywhere.

"Team, I need everyone to return back to Safe Haven ASAP..." Blaque chimed in through Sam's receiver.

Sam responded, "Okay, boss, I'm not that far away. I'll be there in a bit."

These encounters weren't common to Sam but when they did come he had always met them head on. Today the result was this but what if it were someone else? Sam wanted to make a forcible change. These deviants no longer listened to reason but they would listen to force and Sam had a whole lot of force.

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Echo heard Blaque’s announcement asking them all to attend a meeting of some sort so she activated Delta telling her that she was too busy working on a new remote.

You do realize that as an android that I have no rights or that he most likely wants you to attend personally rather than you send me as your surrogate said the mechanical woman

You’re better with people; I saw to that when I programed you but I still don’t like them. People are nasty and carry all sorts bacteria and viruses which I might be infested with and while they can be given a nanite cleaning I am unfortunately am incapable of employing; why else do you think I have you so thoroughly disinfected whenever you must interact with them? she says to her friend/servant

Delta regards her controller with a sanguine smile then sighs I will convey your regrets

Echo looks up from her work and smiles Thanks sweety you are such a dear, besides it’s good for your social development to associate with people more.

Delta was about to point out how the same could be said about her controler but let it lay understanding her owner didn’t hate humans but actually had good reason to fear them.

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Bright neon holo-signs illuminated the densely packed, littered alley, and the constant wailing of sirens flooded through the thin corridor of brick, mortar, and stone. In the distance, gunshots could be heard, along with shrill screaming, bottles being broken, and the worst of urban chaos resonating across the still, chilling air. In this particular alley, despite the constant pain and rainwater that still dampened the streets, a cheery humming could be heard, along with the gentle tapping of small grey boots that skipped along the stonework. A couple firebins blazed to the east side of the alley, the faint heat being absorbed by the few bums that had nowhere else to go for warmth. Above them all, the ever-present rolling grey thunderclouds continued on, leaving the entire city in darkness. Occasionally, rain would fall, pissing off all of the hobos who had no cover for their fire, and making the narrow street all the gloomier.

Sure, it stank of crap and a kind of volatile sludge, but this was home for Willard. He had spent the past year and a half adjusting to this area, and found a kind of humor in the secrets behind all those dark corridors, though he knew better than to adventure out alone. This time, however, it was special - a pick-up job, just some paperwork, only a couple blocks south of New Haven. He was surprised himself when his master let him out alone, trusting him with this task. But then again, it was still daytime hours, and things didn't get really scary until it got dark out.

Blaque had said he was going to be at a meeting later that day, so he might not be back home before Willard was done. So, of course the little boy took advantage of this opportunity to explore for a bit. He had been told, straight there, straight back - but gosh, Willard had never been out on his own before - how would master know the difference? Granted, after only a terrifying run-in with some wild mutts, and a few shrill yelps from a gargantuan-sized crazy cat lady (the traditional kind - not the mutated variant, thank goodness), the child quickly adjusted his course to the rundown apartments where he was assigned to go.

After buzzing the apartment number - number 205, Willard made sure not to forget - and buzzing it again, and again, then hearing some angry yelling from upstairs, his source finally came to the front door: a tall, scrawny, wrinkly man, dressed in cargo pants and a beer-stained undershirt, with just enough teeth to adequately chew his next meal.

"'Scuse me, mister, but my master said you had papers for me to bring him!" Willard shouted up to the elder man, hoping that his volume would ensure his message could pass through the aged ears.

"Eh? Who in deh... Ah, o' curse, yeh mus' be that there misteh Black feller's errand boy... Sure, sure, 'mon in," A few creaky staircases up to the 3rd floor, and a fumbling of keys on more than enough locks on the already rotted door, and Willard entered the man's apartment - to his silent amusement, it was kept quite clean and orderly, with the rug looking spotless and most of the wallpaper still in place, along with books and dishes in their proper places.

"Hum, 'kay... Where did I put 'em?" The man sifted through a stack of papers and holo-sheets, before finally grasping a few crinkled sheets of old notebook paper, and put them inside a black plastic bag.

"Now, then, don't come back over 'ere fer more, yeh get it? Already went through enough trouble as 'twas, gettin' 'em and hidin' 'em. Tell yer mister ta 'ave a good 'un, too!" The man finished before settling into his couch, and flipped on the holovision.

Willard thanked the man and turned, starting his trek home, to Safe Haven.

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The bar itself was as lively as it could typically be - the few usual patrons, face-down in their booze or meals, oblivious to the little boy walking in. A song shifted on the ancient jukebox - it was truly a miracle that the hundred year-old machine still functioned, but Mr. Darric still kept it running. Willard looked up at the bulky figure behind the bar and smiled broadly - Mr. Darric was one of his favorite people at Safe Haven, and loved to talk with him whenever he could. After grabbing a cookie from behind the counter, Willard shuffled his way to the back of the bar, and took off his still soggy boots at the entrance. He glanced around, observing any changes made to the small space, walked over to the main table and put the plastic bag in the larger chair where Blaque usually sat during his work meetings and then scurried over to his room.

It wasn't big, but it was cozy here. Back before the war, it would've passed for a janitorial closet, just enough room for someone of Willard's stature to lay down in comfortably. Along the walls were old pre-war posters of cartoon shows, rock bands, and lots of maps. On the wall in front of his sleeping pad was an old holovision, or HV - back when holographic technology was first being manufactured for the general populace. It was small, but its catalogue was more than enough to keep Willard happy when he had nothing else to do. He flipped it on, switched it over to his favorite show - an old anime, late 20th century style - and waited for Blaque to come home.

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The receptionist clicked on her keyboard quickly as Ms. Yuki stepped inside the door. The receptionist looked up quickly and stood up, giving a warm smile. The kind of smile you give when on the outside you are showing happiness at seeing the person, while inside you are hoping a thousand types of death on them. "Good evening, Ms. Yuki. Hope you are doing well," the receptionist stated. Ms. Kim Yuki showed no emotion as she strode in, heels clacking on the floor below her. She paid the receptionist no mind, instead she waved her hand dismissively, "Yes, yes, all is fine. I don't pay you to stand there grinning like an idiot." The receptionist blushed, despite it being part of her job to stand in attention to her boss, and sat back down, continuing to work. Ms. Yuki stepped on the elevator and pushed the top floor button.

It was only after the elevator doors closed that Ms. Yuki finally cracked a smile.

Well, not only a smile. A giggle fit. Snorting and laughing, the visage quickly gave way and the 50-something Asian woman transformed into a 22-year-old with light purple hair falling to her hips. She was dressed in all black, apart from a dark red, plaid skirt over her leggings. She stopped laughing and took out her PocketHacker, "Idiots. The lot of them..." she said to herself. She quickly hacked the elevator controls and soon she was on her way to the lower levels, even though on the security feed it would still seem like Ms. Yuki was heading to her office.

The elevator dinged and she made her way out into the hallway. She knew there would be few workers down here, apart from soem security guards. The busiest hours were in the morning, when all the shady dealings truly went on. While on the outside, it seemed like your normal pharmaceutical facility, in truth it housed some of the most despicable things she ever saw. Human testing. It was bad enough animals were tested with various things, but these people captured humans, people no one would miss, and experiment on them.

However, when she heard about it, it seems like they picked up the wrong person. A young woman named Tabitha, who had a mother who was worried sick about her. Hacking the girl's computer showed she was in contact with someone who worked here. It seems Tabitha had a drug problem and wanted a steady supplier. Nothing major, just something to give her a push now and then. Now she was gone and this company was high on her list of suspects.

She heard about it before. Rumors all over cyberspace, but now she was here for proof. Get in, hack, get info out to the proper people, the ones who would truly take care of it and not gloss over the facts, and get out.

As she neared her destination, she quickly rounded the corner and came face to face with two security officers chatting it up. Before she could skip back, they noticed her. "Hey! Who are you?" one yelled. She sighed inwardly, she really didn't want to mess up anything. She took out her staff and swung it around, "I'm with the tour group." The guards rushed her, taking out their batons, but she was quicker. She hopped around one and smacked the back of his head. He fumbled forward and she tripped him, knocking him again in the head to silence him. His friend watched in horror and swung his baton. She caught it with her staff and shoot her head, "Clumsy..very clumsy." She knocked the baton out of his hands and flipped her staff around as she cornered him. She pinned him back with the end of her staff. He grinned smugly, "What are you gonna do?" She merely smiled, "Night night!" She pushed a button and an electrical surge powered through the staff, shocking the guard as he fell unconcious.

Mock her will they? That'll learn them. She made her way into the server room and began her work. All the hidden secrets were right there. Stupid idiots barely had a Firewall protecting them. It took her no time at all to download the information.

Her headset pinged. That meant Blaque was on the call. After hearing his spiel, she continued to do her work, 'Hacking some corporate filth as we speak, boss. Will be there soon as I wrap up here." She downloaded all the information and pocketed it. She would send it later, along with the whereabouts of Tabitha and the other "patients". Now, she had other work to do. She made it back into the elevator and took it to the lobby. She resumed her Ms. Yuki disguise and walked out, leaving the receptionist to think her venemous thoughts.

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Darric saw Willard come into the pub and he did as he always did in public. He pretended not to know him until he got behind the closed doors that were restricted. Darric left the bar area of the pub and went into the back. He watched as the boy punched the keypad and went inside. Darric had had to install security into those areas because once a six year old girl had been looking for the bathroom and wandered into the Vendetta space. Darric found her and had to tell her mother that what she was describing was his vast array of Star wars and Indiana Jones action posters and not real. Luckily her mother had believed him. Within hours he'd had the keypads put in.

"Hey Willard, you staying out of trouble?" Darric handed him a root beer float and smiled at the kid.

Darric glanced over at Hattori and pretty much ignored the guy. His eyes were looking for her. He spotted her and slid into the seat next to her. She was taking off her wig and brushing her real hair out. When she looked up her expression was pained. Everything in her life was focused and in a crazy order that only she understood, except for Darric. He was the one thing she had issues with, and no idea how to handle his demands.

"Darric I don't want to argue with you I can't-" Paige started.

"Shh, I don't want to argue either." He reached over and lightly kissed her lips and slid her hand into his. For a little while they forgot about what had driven a wedge between them and they spoke intimately as if it had never happened. She leaned into him and he put his arm around her, scooting her closer to him, and they waited for Blaque.

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@King Tai@Gutshot@Necrophage@FantasyChic@Wick@Vashonn@RumikoOhara@alexfangtalon@ham@Arcanis

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After the call to his team and walking towards the bar getting green tea made, Blaque could hear the responses from N.E.R.O.N, Sam, R0se, and the others. Turning to realize Paige, Darric, Willard, and Jonathan showing up, Blaque took mental note Just a few more to go he said calmly to himself. He started pouring his hot liquid and added a little honey, and spoke up I imagine everyone is having a productive evening... he said just to break the ice a little.

They still had a few more people still needing to show up but depending on the information they brought back to him will depend on how much more attention one of their assignments was going to need. Of course everyone was on either a dangerous or delicate assignment but there were certain information he was particularly needing from at least 2 of his members.

Taking a sip of his tea and wondering how his team would respond to the debriefing, Blaque placed his sword on the top of the bar counter. Scanning the room at the ones around him, Paige left Blaque curious on how her assignment went and how far she had to go. It was not easy to simply infiltrate and play the acting game...well...for R0se it was probably a piece of cake. Speaking of the two, one being his spy and the other, his hacking shape shifter, these two females were dangerous for any organization they would blend in. N.E.R.O.N was always very useful not only for people he rescued or tend to out in this cesspool one called Grand Haven but to Vendetta Inc as well and honestly, Blaque felt it would be a terrible blow to lose him. That went for the others as well. Sam and his raw military skills, there were times he could say that Sam would be the best bet to help in an all out assault.

Willard, so young but so talented and yet...the closet thing to a son to Blaque. At times, Blaque wonders to himself why he allows someone his age to work with him and why he never cut the boy loose from all of this but...this boy had serious potential and by Blaque's guidance, could turn out to be a very decorated adult. Echo and Delta....what would he do without these two? The gadgets and the tech that can be produced by the young citadel like herself, he was lucky to have her. Delta...there was almost nothing she couldn't accomplish.

And if Blaque could have an ability, he wouldn't mind having what Jonathan could do. He could trust Jonathan's shadowy stealth to never let him down. He still waited on Priest and Maria to answer but if not, he'd eventually get in contact with them in some form if they didn't make it to the meeting.

Either way, there was situations that were causing changes and one thing that Blaque believed is when things and situations change around you, you should change your strategies. Blaque just hoped they could handle what was coming soon.

@Arcanis@Necrophage

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N.E.R.O.N's large metal bulk approached the bar, his shield (bloodied though it was) was slung over the Pistons and mechanisms composing the construct's back. Opening the creaking wooden door, N.E.R.O.N was greeted with the poorly lit tavern, a few passed-out drunkies, and the promise of his comrades in the back, just as he had expected. Though a little late, the automaton came through with it's intent to attend. Sadly, it never had a chance to clean up, and still reeked of viscera from the day's work.
"I imagine everyone is having a productive evening", N.E.R.O.N heard as it walked into the back room, the half-asleep bartender having spat into a cup as the bulky robot passed. "Quite, Sir", it responded politely as it closed the restricted doors behind itself, the electronic locks making a hearty clunk sound as they reengaged. "Five women in the same neighborhood in the same day, I had an experience indeed", N.E.R.O.N continued, his signature cheery tone making the material he spoke about seem much more wholesome than what it was intended to be. The large metal man stood by his comrades across from Blaque, those of which consisted of an embracing man and woman, a small child holding a cold drink, and a few others. The child, suprisingly, was a little bit of a controversial subject for the otherwise naïve automaton. N.E.R.O.N's programming dictated the evacuation of children over all others in the face of danger, and to allow the child to participate in activities as harmful as Vendetta's missions, it was truly the only thing N.E.R.O.N disputed with his master about.
N.E.R.O.N started again, "this stark increase in attacks against females roaming around a certain region, mostly prompted by gangsters of Ghost Face, is something I feel like should be addressed by I and perhaps two others."
"If I'm not mistaken, you had mentioned a job similar to this to me a while ago, correct? Operation: Bash the Bullies?", the robot proceeded. "I would like to pick such a job up, if you will. Otherwise, I am prepared for the primary briefing, sir", ended the automaton, proceeding to seat itself on a metal chair beside Blaque.

>Social conditions met. Physical Movement commenced: Finger Tapping

N.E.R.O.N's steel fingertips started to tap the table as it listened to both his master's answer and his comrades' conversations. This little habit, initially having been installed by a rebel hacker just for fun, now became a convincing staple of N.E.R.O.N's humanoid personality.

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Priest sat in his comfy chair in the back of his van. It was a black van with three white stripes bearing the logo of Current and Future Consultation. Not particularly inconspicuous but he didn't really care. He was a business man and ads were important when the whole city was in trouble. That meant he was busy... when he wanted to be. He kicked back in the chair, looking at the small globe he held in his right hand while eating from a bag of potato chips left on the small table to his right. All the furniture in the van was bolted down and there was a harness for his servant so the van wouldn't be totaled every time he went somewhere. The golem himself was absent. In fact Priest was watching him right now.
"I found them." A deep, flat voice rang through his earpiece. Bob wasn't a very enthusiastic golem but he was more practical and useful than most anything else that Priest had ever come across. He was downright amazing, Priest might even be caught saying. Of course that's also because the man who created Bob was in fact Priest. Who was more amazing than Priest? Let's not speak rhetorics now. Of course Priest was the best.
Wiping crumbs off his hand onto his expensive pants, Priest answered back. "Perfect. Alright Bob. Subdue them."
"Yes, sir." Bob responded dryly.
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There had to be a little more than half a dozen street punks cornering a dressed up couple in the alley. Looks like they wanted to make a good score off of the two. Bob's footsteps weren't exactly light as he walked closer to the group. One turned to look at him. "Hey, hey guys! Who the hell is that?" The closest punk said, trying to get the attention of the others.
"Looks like a hero to me. Hey hero, you know who owns this place right?!" A bold punk in green with a matching mohawk said. "That's right, it's us, the Jade Vipers!"
"Who?" Bob questioned flatly. Bob never forgets things. This was a gang he had never even heard of.
"Clearly you haven't been around here long enough to learn who's real here. How about we show you?" The punk leader threatened.
Bob cocked his stout head to the side and said again in unchanged tone. "Who are you?"
"I don't know, that guy's like a killer whale, man." A shorter one in the back said hesitantly.
"Who cares!? Nothing a good pipe doesn't solve." The punk in green retorted confidently. He and four others started moving toward Bob, leaving only three to threaten the couple who were trapped against a corner.
"Hey Bob, don't kill them." Priest chimed in through the ear piece.
With what little expression the golem had he frowned. "Understood." The gang quickly surrounded him while he just stood there and waited for one of them to move into his reach.
"No fire huh? I got this!" The leader shouted, rushing toward Bob and swinging a length of metal pipe.
Bob caught the pipe without effort and bitch-slapped the punk to the ground. The leader groaned before rolling back to his feet and looking a little perturbed. "I got this!" Bob repeated in similar tone.
"He's mocking us! You all gonna take that? Get him!" The green punk commanded. The others looked nervous a moment before making up their minds and charging. They had chains, knives, whatever random implement of murder they could get a hold of. Bob completely ignored most of them as they tried wailing on him. Taking a step forward he grabbed one of the gangers by both arms, lifted him into the air and head butted 'gently'. The lights went out in his eyes so Bob dropped him.
"Back left, Bob." Priest advised through the ear-piece. The golem swung a massive fist, bitch-slapping one of the other gangers across the alley without even looking at him. "Ho! I think you killed that one." Priest commented excitedly.
Bob looked at the prone figure, casually watching his chest go up and down as some of the other gangers kept beating on him. "He's fine." The giant judged.
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Priest's phone suddenly went off, alerting him to another line on his earpiece. He glanced at it, seeing the name Fearless Leader on the caller ID. Priest shrugged and set it to record rather than listen to it, grabbing another handful of potato chips while he watched and advised Bob.
After a long pause he finally got curious and listened to Blaque's short message. "Team, I need everyone to return back to Safe Haven ASAP. I know you all are either in the middle of a mission or to your own devices but as soon as you get back, there is a matter we need to discuss. Does everyone copy?"
Letting loose a sigh, Priest muttered. "Okay, okay." He rolled up the chips, threw them in a box and slipped up to the driver's seat. "Alrighty, Bob. Just throw the gang in a dumpster and pry it closed or something. I'll call it in." He spoke through the earpiece. Or maybe we should just leave them there.. He thought to himself.
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Bob made short work of the rest of the gang, two of them ran off but he wasn't particularly fast so he ignored them. He bent the dumpster inward, locking the top in place and making it unthinkable to pry open without a machine. "Hey you can't do this to us!" He whined.
"I just did." Bob stated.
The consultant van slid to a halt at the end of the alleyway. The golem climbed into the back, causing the van to groan in protest. All set, Priest shifted into drive. To the Bar!
________________________
Being one of the last to arrive was awkward so Priest just innocently smiled like he always does. A fake mask he regularly wore. Bob didn't follow him in this time. Last time a few somethings broke and it made for a hilarious night. Of course no one else appreciated it the way he did. The door hasn't closed quite the same way since.
Priest walked over and slapped N.E.R.O.N. on the back. "Hey Tinman, any success getting a brain from that wizard today?" He jested. He took a stool two seats down and spun around until he was leaning against the bar. "All ears here, Fearless Leader."

Delta walked into the meeting saying immediately Delta 1417-99A6-RNC8 reporting as proxy for Echo who will be observing through link Daedalus Alpha 77R

Please excuse any disturbance my new appearance my cause but as I am her personal property Echo tinkered with my systems in an effort to enhance my maintenance schedule and in the process made external alterations to please her sense of aesthetics.

I hope that has answered any of the obvious questions and if you wish identity verification my clearance is registered on the team data site.

Finished speaking to the ones assembled she simply stood where she always did and waited.

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Before getting started, Blaque heard out N.E.R.O.N first about his experiences earlier, dealing with injured women who have been attacked by the Ghost Face gang. Even bringing up a mission that involved taking them out that no one have started yet. Hearing that N.E.R.O.N would do such a job was not a problem. In fact, he encourage one to take up such a task. I see...yes I have heard about the increase of activity that group have started pursuing. I do not mind you taking on that mission. But of course, we will talk a little more about that in a moment.

Getting confirmation from Priest as he was on his way and finally showing up while greeting N.E.R.O.N, Blaque was one of the few who could tolerate his antics and attitude. Even the name Fearless Leader sounded like a mocking sarcasm but Blaque knew he still had himself a good member in his group from the moment he recruited him. Well by dirty means that is. Well it's good to have you with us Priest. I take it Bob is deciding not to join us this time...

The moment Delta 7 came in and announced herself as the proxy for Echo, Blaque wasn't surprised in the slightest but he had to admit, he liked the new appearance. By mentioning Echo, you already have my approval. he said and looked at the group.

I thank you all for coming here in short notice. I know you all were in the middle of an assignment and if you weren't able to show up, I'd understand but regardless, most of you are here. I called this meeting to not only get a progress report on your missions but about some changes and developments that are happening around us.

Blaque placed his hands behind his back I have been informed of some recent activities that could cause us to war with a few larger factions. 2 in particular. One organization lead by Bishop Spade and his brotherhood in Southside Monroe and the other lead by La Plaga and his La Epidemia in Bullhart district. he said pausing. I know with the kind of business we are in, we will eventually face larger threats and we don't fear that kind of challenge but....The brotherhood and La Epidemia are incredibly dangerous and cannot be handled recklessly. Military might, The Brotherhood is the largest organized group in this city with what I've heard, specializes in high tech weaponry and splicing with animal DNA. La Epidemia is a group that will murder on sight once they take notice you're not from there or if you're sneaking around and there are rumors that their leader have the means to wipe out the city. As far as these two groups go, they are off limits for now. Do not infiltrate their territories.

Heading to the bar to take another sip of tea, he continued We already have two other issues we are dealing with regarding children but the investigation is continuing until the progress report comes in and the information I get is solid enough for us to make our move. He said looking at Paige and Willard. It's possible that we could be dealing with groups who are using children as test subjects and sacrifices and possible sex slaves to increase their influences. Once we get confirmation of the location of the children who could still be held captive, I will need volunteers on call to assist in the rescue and a possible engaging of the enemy that's responsible. Blaque mention in the start of the meeting.

So...do you have any updates so far Paige? and if anyone have any concerns...now is the time to speak about them.

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It took no time at all for Priest to pipe up and offer his plan. "So I do have an idea on the matter. Just to be upfront for you ladies and gentleman it is something you may not like but will almost certainly work." Priest pointed a finger toward Willard, the young boy in the room. "See, Willard here is a perfect candidate for this job. He's young and he leaves an impression on people. All I would need is something he treasures or an article of clothing and I can keep digs on him regardless of where he goes."

Priest turned to address the rest of the group. "And here's the part everyone will hate. Willard is going to be bate." He paused to let that settle in. "Now, now before anyone protests this is going to be the most suitable way of finding kidnapped children. If we go in guns blazing or whatever you ladies and gents like to do in terms of violence then they will move the children or rush their agenda and we'll be worse off than when we started. I know that's what I'd do if I was a homicidal youth slave-trader."

The mostly ex-con man raised his hands into the air theatrically. "Now this is what I cannot do and the flaw in my plan. Bob isn't fast enough to carry out a rescue if this goes south or even if it works. That's where I believe other more suitable candidates could volunteer. Plus there's the matter of I cannot see everything that happens. Once I discover the general location of their holdings that is where we will need other espionage to make sure we do this correctly." Priest concluded his say, letting others take over the conversation.

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R0se had arrived shortly before Blaque began his monologue. Having successfully completed her mission, she quietly sat on the side as Blaque outlined their current task. It turned her stomach once the kids were mentioned. She hated the thought of kids being targeted for any sadistic purpose. Children shouldn't be put in these types of situations.

And to make matters worse, one of their own was even suggesting sending Willard, a young child, in as bait. No, she would not stand for that. "Or we could, you know, not send in a child to these sickos. Regardless if said child is skilled. You have others here who could do a better job. Hell, I could mask myself as a kid and get in if that's what it takes, and I can handle myself if things turn sketchy. I don't like the idea of sending Willard in there, even if he has back-up on him. I'll help out with this mission, 100%, I just won't stand by and send another kid into the fray." She knew Willard wasn't some ordinary child, he could probably take care of himself, but it was still dangerous and Priest was suggesting something pretty idiotic, in her opinion. They had a whole team of professionals here, surely there was a better option.

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Willard heard as the door opened, and thick black boots started kicking around the floor, moving into the back. He looked through the hole in his door, and watched as the large figure marched through the room, soda in hand. Willard hopped up and burst out of his room, hoping to surprise the man.

"Hey Willard, you staying out of trouble?" the man said jokingly to the little boy, his steadfast demeanor unphased by the charging child. Willard slowed and smiled up at Darric, and took the root beer float from his hand.

"I'm never in trouble, Mr. Darric! You know that!" the kid giggled before walking over to Tamashi.

Willard was still trying to figure Tamashi out - he had this strange air about him, and his colors were difficult to read. And Willard knew quite a bit about people's colors. Tamashi seemed a bit distant from the others, but Willard still wanted to try and befriend the ninja - that's just what Willard figured he was, never having been on a mission with him, but he seemed the type from all those old shows Willard watched. He looked up at the slim man and smiled - surely Tamashi was nice enough to talk to!

After that, he noticed Ms. Paige enter - she looked especially purple today - hopefully Mr. Darric wasn't upset with her. Willard really liked her, and he thought she and Mr. Darric were great together. Then, from behind him, he heard a large figure enter the bar.

"Just a few more to go," Willard heard the man mutter. He turned and smiled up at the coated man - Blaque.

"I imagine everyone is having a productive evening..." Willard hugged him, excited to see his master after a long day of boredom. "I got ya the papers ya wanted, Blaque!" he said as he looked up into the man's glasses. Willard pointed to Blaque's spot on the table to show him the bag, and scurried off to N.E.R.O.N who had just entered the room.

N.E.R.O.N was Willard's best friend in the whole world! When he learned that N.E.R.O.N was only a year younger than him, Willard was instantly hooked on hanging out with the giant machine. He constantly practiced his reading ability on the bot, training himself to be able to read A.I., too. That was one of Willard's favorite things to do - whenever he had the chance and saw an A.I. in the street - considering there were quite a few, anymore - he would study the robot intensely, due to their colors seeming to be so much more vibrant, so much more unique from human colors. Willard had gotten to the point where he almost could read an A.I.'s next course of action. Willard smiled at the large robot, and then went to sit to the left of Blaque at the meeting table.

As the meeting began, Willard noticed the entrance of Priest and Delta 7 - guess no sign of Echo today. It's too bad - Willard really wanted to get to know her, due to her being to distant from everyone else. Priest, on the other hand - Willard did his best to smile at the shady figure, but knew there was something off about him. Just the way his colors clashed all the time - that's when Willard wishes he could turn off his ability. Being able to see people's emotions and how they felt at just a glance was sometimes overwhelming. This magician was no exception to that state of nausea he could get. Willard looked away, and at the new robot in the room. Delta 7 was a strange one - Willard had watched recently as the machine's color changed from only a simple gray, to more distinctive shades, like a dull red or blue. Something was developing there, and Willard watched in awe as it began.

Just before the meeting began, R0se entered the room, just in time to sit it out. He liked R0se, but she always seemed a bit standoffish and silent, adding a shade of brown to her otherwise bright color. Then, Blaque began his debrief.

---

"... Everyone will hate. Willard is going to be bate." The mention of Willard grabbed his attention away from the fantasy knight he was playing in his head. Willard looked up at the wizard man, then looked to Blaque - what was he just volunteered to do?

"Or we could, you know, not send in a child to these sickos. Regardless if said child is skilled." Okay, now Willard was worried. "You have others here who could do a better job. Hell, I could mask myself as a kid and get in if that's what it takes, and I can handle myself if things turn sketchy. I don't like the idea of sending Willard in there, even if he has back-up on him. I'll help out with this mission, 100%, I just won't stand by and send another kid into the fray."

Whatever was going on, Willard was intrigued. He'd never been on a real mission before - but the mention of death was a little... Disheartening. Still, he couldn't help but look up at Blaque a bit excitedly, hoping that would suffice to show the excitement Willard had for the thought of getting involved!

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After a slight jest by Priest, and the arrival of Th0rn, the debriefing began. N.E.R.O.N was fine with waiting awhile while Blaque produced some plans for Operation: Bust the Bullies, and thus, listened intently to what Blaque had to say relating to the primary mission.
Of course, out of all things, it concerned children. Right off the bat N.E.R.O.N was invested in helping with this operation. First came Priest's gambit for invading the child trafficing ring, another one of his jokes even if he didn't intend it to be. The robot poked the slouching man in the arm forcefully, as if to say "watch it". Luckily, a more reasonable voice resounded, that of the hacker Th0rn. Her plan was much more understandable, and could actually be seen working out nicely in the quick simulation the automaton conjured up in it's head. At the end of her rebuttal towards Priest, the construct happily chimed in.
"It seems like a sound plan, Th0rn. If anything, I would like to add to it: we could sell me and R0se as a package", started the construct.

>Problem given. Plan formulating. Plan formulation complete. Added to cerebral simulation. Estimated Outcome: satisfactory

"Please do here me out", N.E.R.O.N continued after a short pause. "In order to infiltrate the child trafficking ring, you can sell me into the syndicate as a medical robotics system, and Th0rn disguised as a child. I will be able to likely intercept the human testing part of the operation, while R0se would have almost full rein. And truly, no human can resist a good bargain", the construct explained.

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Priest had to give the little spy the benefit for this one. "Alright, alright. So we make a few welcome adjustments, that's why my plan had flaws. So Rose here takes the place of bait. That works for me." He turned to gesture at N.E.R.O.N. "I cannot agree with turning both of you over as a package though. As an ex-criminal - guilty as charged - I know how suspicious something like that would be. They would have poor Tinman here scrapped before we could tie our own nooses. Organizations like this scrap cars for parts because it makes less problems. They chop problem people into bits because it makes less problems." The theif-wizard turned briefly to comment to Willard on that last part. "Pretend you didn't hear that last part kid." He said with an innocent wink.

"Tinman is arguably the fastest candidate here and I like having him in one piece because he's hella-useful. They're a human-trafficking organization they couldn't care any less for a person's wellbeing, they won't need a med-bot. I instead suggest that Tinman is part of the shock-team to save the children. When it gets to that point we all need to move fast before they get any ideas." He concluded.

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Paige listened to the idea of bringing in Willard and she bit her lip. She was torn. It might indeed help them, or and just as likely, it could hurt Willard beyond repair and that would be if he wasn't killed. Paige stood up and looked at them all. "I'm already on the inside and although the information seems to come in bursts I think it would likely damage Willard too much, and that is even if he wasn't killed. Once in the "harem" I couldn't stop him from being raped or abused or drugged or one of numerous things they are doing to these children. If anyone else came in before we had hard evidence, it would jeopardize the operation. My vote has to be no to bringing him into this mess." Paige looked at Willard and said, "I would never purposely put any child in that mess."

"Father Francis is now referring to his concubines as a "harem" and referred to it as his "training grounds"." She purposely looked away from Darric and said, "He has asked me to be his 4th wife. It isn't legal, but it may give me more information still. I'll see if I can get a lot more information but it might require me to somehow become more involved in his operation, not just an outsider. Since I'm already in deeper than I would have liked I might as well go the distance and take them down." She sat back down and kept her eyes straight ahead. She could feel the tension rolling off of Darric.

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Darric watched Paige and his hand had gripped hers tightly, even when her admission made him want to kill he held himself in check. He knew she didn't like what she was doing and the idea of her having to marry this guy, even if it wasn't legal made his skin crawl.

Darric stood up. "If we decide to send in Willard I can get inside and keep an eye on him. I can get in on the inside, my reputation as a hitman will work in my favor." He sat back down and looked at Willard but at no time did he let go of Paige's hand. He really hated that she was guarded all the time and that she was nearly a prisoner. She rarely could get away these days.

Darric looked at Paige as one of the assistants brought in a shopping bag from Victoria Secrets and another from a bridal store and set them down at Paige's feet. Darric clenched his free hand a couple of times. Paige's hand slipped out of his and she started putting her hair back into the wig.

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