[IC] The Gifted: A Fast Paced Superpower RP

[Whirlwind]

Eden kicked the back of her boots on the building, scanning the nearby area for trouble still. Though she saw a minor fireball erupt across town from her, she heard fire truck sirens almost immediately after. Hmm… wouldn’t put it past whoever set it to be the one who notified them. She scrunched her lips to the side in thought, when she heard someone scream for help. Her head instantly snapped to the left and down, seeing a man pull a woman out of a car. He was telling her to shut up and hit the cab with his gun before telling him to just drive off. The man obliged and sped off, leaving the man alone with the woman, who was saying please several times before he backhanded her. She dramatically crumbled to the ground, making Eden sigh. She usually saved her energy for rescuing children, but why not. These people were just right there. So she stood, pulling out her bow and arrows. This time, it could be a warning. She pulled back her bow, not electrifying the arrow, and released it while aiming at the man’s hand as he raised it, threatening to hit the woman again if she didn’t stand. The broadhead went easily through the man’s hand and he dropped the gun as blood went everywhere, a large hole almost taking up his entire palm having been left.

”Now would be a good time to run. I won’t save you again, Eden called down to the woman who nodded before stumbling over herself to run away as the man cursed Eden out from down below, in too much pain to bother shooting up at her.

”Yeah you do that,” she said with a roll of her eyes before running towards the back of the roof and leaping the 4 foot gap to the next roof. She was able to jump one more time before the gap between the next two buildings was too wide, and she was forced to lower herself down from the fire escape. She managed it fairly quickly before her feet hit the dirty alleyway floor. Her bright eyes, hidden behind her mask searched all around her to make sure the area was secure. It wasn’t however, as a gang came around the corner, maybe having supersonic hearing and having heard her trip down the fire escape and then landing, or perhaps she’d miscalculated where their turf was. Then again, she wasn’t afraid but she did make it a point to avoid getting involved in gang matters after a few missteps early in her mercenary career.

A few of the men that drew closer to her chuckled, she assumed at her outfit, several with weapons. She sighed, not wanting to waste her energy on such things, and not to mention taking on a group of… yes, seven men much larger than her, didn’t seem like fun. She moved her hands into position once they were close enough, when one of them pointed his bat at her.

”Might wanna stay on our good side girlie… hear about Caro?” he asked. Eden hesitated, frowning slightly.

”He’s been taken in by the police… she said, sure of herself. A few more chuckled as if she were stupid.

”Yeah, and he’s giving up names to little unheroic capes like yourself,” another smiled, his teeth glinting in the dim light with their various tones of gold. Eden’s heart sank. She couldn’t have her identity revealed... and there were a few other mercs who knew her by name and not just as Sparks. Could they have revealed her? No she couldn't do this... Not after Kyle… and not to mention all the countless ‘crimes’ she actually had committed since she decided to take on this persona. While the new information swirled in her brain, she’d lost focus and a couple of the men jumped at her. Suddenly alert, she pulled out an arrow and jammed it into one, electrocuting the other by grabbing his arm that had held the bat. With a spin, she used him as a human shield when a few started firing at her, letting the one she’d stabbed fall to the dirt. She quickly zapped the lighting of the one street lamp in the alley, leaving the men clumsily rushing at her in the dark. She gut punched and face punched one of the ones with a gun coming towards her, then back kicked another. Four down. One left grabbed her leg when she’d kicked, but she quickly jumped slightly and used her other leg to kick him in the face. Hard. He let go to grab his face while another slashed at her with a knife, managing to slice open her upper arm fairly well. It only made her growl though and she lifted her hands and in a second, fried the two left. The three she’d simply injured moaned, trying to get up, so she grabbed her arm and left the alley, cursing herself for getting hurt, and cursing Caro for being a gutless pig.

[HellHoundWoof]

Lupus sniffed the air, he caught the scent of strawberries. He threw himself off the rooftop following the scent. He sprinted down the roads that were caught in hang violence and saw men in blue carrying the girl away. Lupus moved down the road as men fought left and right, one man swung a 2x4 with nails driven through the end toward Lupus. Lupus easily moved aside from it and grabbed the wood from the back. He tore it from the mans hands and threw it aside. He leaned in close to the man and let out a deafening roar, the thug took a few steps back and then began running. Lupus closed his mouth and continued towards the alleyway the girl had been taken down, he saw the men stuffing her into the back of a van and approached. Two men turned around guns drawn and aimed at him.

"Who da fuck do you think you are? Walking up on some people, chasing us down? What's the damn deal with you man, just let us have the girl." The one on the left said, his gun was aimed sideways and he honestly looked like a bull dog in the face.

"Fraid I can't do that boys," Lupus said coldly taking his hat off and throwing it aside, "You've got no right to take such a nice little girl, I don't give a damn what the bounty is, you let her go or I start nibbling on some necks."

"Fuck dis shit man, Imma cal this white boy." The one on the right said angrily, he raised his gun and put a bullet in Lupus's gut. Lupus launched forward on all fours then slammed into the man who had shot him. He dug his claws into the mans arms and held them up and at his side. He roared in his face then clamped his teeth down on the mans neck and tore it open. He threw the mans body to the right of the alley wall, he turned towards the other and slashed out with his claws, he cut the man across the face them began stabbing his claws into the mans stomach cutting him open. He let the man fall to the ground and turned towards the van, he slammed his fists through the back windows and unlocked it. He opened the doors and was met with an abrubt energy blast, the girl was a meta human. But her powers had been otherwise unknown, Lupus stood and slowly bared his teeth and showed his claws.

"You're a meta as well?" She said shakily.

"I am, I'm Lupus, you need to run, and hide. Go to a friends and make sure you are not found, people are hunting us for bounty and we need to keep ourselves safe. Take this car, and leave."

The girl nodded and climbed into the front seat of the van, she announced that there were no keys and Lupus checked the bodies. He found keys on the man who had shot first, he tossed the keys in the front seat and closed the back doors. He leapt onto a nearby fire escape and climbed to the rooftops moving across the rooftops waiting to hear anything that sounded like someone needed help. He continued listening his eyes closed carefully tuning in and out of different things.

[RumikoOhara]

"Heads up, Time to earn your keep"

Cypress's apartment was supplied by her company and even it's furnishings were chosen by her handlers so that it conveyed to the casual observer the home of a woman of refined tastes.

"Phony, even where I sleep is more like a movie set than reality." She thought as she skated across the living room towards her huge kitchen. Entering she opened her Sub zero frig , drew out a tub of yogurt from her favorite deli. She dumped in about half a pound of blueberries stirred and went into her living room planning on a major munch fest..

She'd no sooner put a yummy spoonful of yogurt in her mouth when she heard her phone chirp three times then announce "Security breach. All personnel to sector twenty"


"Dam it!" she says as she sets the bowl on her coffee table an powers up her slick screen. Leaping over the table she heads to her balcony leaving the sliding door open as she flies over the edge.
She lands on the sloping exterior of the building as she's tucking in her ear piece.

Hunched down like one of those ski jumpers you see in the winter olympics Friction burns down the 20 stories to the base. When she makes the curve of concrete at ground level she's moving at over 220 mph as she assumes the pose of a sprint skater and pushes her feet side to side controlling their friction so that she steady gains speed.

"Friction to security, Friction to security activating GPS tracking requesting intercept control." yells Cypress as she moves up Technology boulevard towards Sector 16 where she can use the cooperate runway as a short cut to 20.

"Friction, Friction be advised that suspect is in sector 20 and non visual; continue on present track, continue on present track" says a woman's voice over Cypress's Bluetooth.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Aperture Security HQ"

Wanda Meeks had been working for AL for almost three years now and thought she'd seen it all, till today.

On her sitrep screen she was monitoring the progress of one of AL's newest and fastest Metas. Friction was showing a steady increase in speed and had since she'd left her campus apartment; 375...380...390.. The Meta's speed was incredible but beyond that was her ability to shift directional velocity. As Cypress crossed the runways she moved like one of those light cycles from Tron, Wanda honestly was lost as how to handle such an asset.

"Friction, Friction be advised we have security personnel on you present course, suggest you slow speed to avoid collision" says Wanda as she realizes that Cypress is already on top of the cluster of cruisers.

Then with no slacking of speed Friction suddenly stops next to security commander Bennett position and there are no reports of a collision.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bennett's position"

Bennett a veteran of the Armies spec ops teams sees Friction as she heads towards her like some low flying smart missile. When she stops there is a brief explosion of wind similar to a huge truck blasting by.

He was impressed and annoyed with the Meta but knew better than many that she was a special case handle with care.

"Ah Friction glad you're here. We have as yet no intel on the intruder or intruders so you're on stand by" he says looking at how revealing her clothing is.

"Thank you Commander Bennett, I do so hope that we should capture this or these intruders with no call for violence" says Cypress with a smile

Bennett hears her speak and is instantly transported back to his days as a special instructor at Fort Rutger Alabama. Her voice is that sweet rich honey mixed with archaic speech patterns of the southern belle. He shakes off the memories but not the smile as she takes a seat on a nearby guard rail so she's in no one's way at the road block.

Aperture Labs is closed down like a liquor store in Utah on Sunday and with only open ground to move on outside of the grid of roads the Quarry is only playing a delaying game. As soon as they're spotted they be caught by normal staff or a meta.

[malmshodes]

From one end to another, there was nothing but blackness. Despite the sun hovering over head, easily seen by billions of people, it wasn't touching anyone in the room. "Bother." A soft voice mumbled at the sound of a buzz coming out of his pocket. "Is nothing sacred any more? Is it so much too ask to have just a few minutes for oneself to get a job done?" There was some motion in the darkness as a head shook itself, vigorously, from side to side. "Stupid question. No need for an answer." There was soft clicking sound as a phone, the flipping kind, was pulled open and its soft blue light revealed the pale face holding it. A few moments passed as the purples eyes jumped from one end of the screen to another, all the way down the end of the message. Several moments passed before the phone was snapped shut, and the light was vanished just as roughly as the light of a candle snuffed out by a pair of pudgy fingers. "Interesting. So it looks like the group has decided to bring an end to things with the NTE." There was some light shuffling, almost inaudible, as the phone was returned back to the silken pocket in which it would call home, if such things could call anything home. "Not that I'm surprised at the decision to deal away with, or anything in that matter. It's just. Oh, what's the expression? Is there an expression? Well, I'm only a little bit startled that things are being moved to such a fast end. I would've sworn, and bet some money, the company would attempt to engage in negotiations on its own before moving to force the gang's hand."
Some ruffling could be heard somewhere in the room, a few feet from the voice's location. "Will I go, or should I finish with things here? The job's just about done, yes, but there's still some loose ends." A pause. "Well, a single loose end. I guess, I can deal with it quickly enough. Then it's just a matter of returning things, and shaking hands. Why, I could be done with all of this, and starting on the new problem in a few hours really." A low sigh. "I shouldn't complain, or allow myself to be surprised, shouldn't I. It's to be expected, really. Why, when one finds himself the beneficiary of so many zeros, a grudge shouldn't be held against the devil who got the signature in blood, disguised as ink. " Another nearly silent release of agitated breath. "So!" The sound of slapping has the speaker's hands clasps together. "That's all settled with then. I'll be going right after this, I mean dealing with things here, and getting the package to the employer."

There was a click and a bright white light exploded into the tiny room, which turned out to be a storage shed, filled with hay. A single, overpowered light bulb hang over head. In the center there was a heavy framed man, middle to late forties, with a beer keg of a belly spilling over his pants. The man's face was chubby like a toad, and his hazel eyes were so widely opened they looked like it was a tempting idea for them to jump out of his head, and make a run for it. HIs legs and an arm were tied up with everyday rope, and the other arm was gone, a charred black stump in its place. There wasn't any blood on the ground, but a thick pile of ash.
"Ah. Where was I?" The pale man, still seated by the door, raised a hand and rubbed his smooth chin. "Oh yes!" He got to his feet, and gave the fat man a quick bowl. "I was going to leave you here to spend the rest of your life thinking about how ungrateful you've been with my employer." There was a briefcase next to the chair the man in black had been sitting in. He picked it up and hefted it, just to make sure there was the right weight. "But please don't feel too bad. You won't have to spend a great deal of time living in grief. I'm not a savage man." With that, he gave a short bow before turning and stepping lightly outside, making sure to close the door, and replace a padlock after him.

Seeing he was alone, and sensing things would only become much worse, the man tied in the chair, his name was fatinson(no lie), started struggling. He pulled and pried with his remaining limbs, but couldn't budge. With all his effort he strived against his restraints but that only landed him on the ground. He hit his head, and that knocked something into him more than it did out of him. In his panic, he'd missed the change in the room. There was no more breeze, and the air was colder, but the floor had gotten much warmer than it should've. Something clicked in his mind, as slow as it had been after three days without food. There was something in the air. panicking more than before, which he hadn't thought to be possible, his eyes darted around, and stopped on the tiny glowing red dot on the hay opposite him. There was a second when it looked like it winked at him, and then the whole world, only the hay really but to the man it was everything, burst into flames that were so hot he didn't have time to regret.

Outside the pale man, Dirk Gently, waited, with the briefcase at his feet and his arms crossed in front of his chest. "That should've been enough time to satisfy everyone. Normally, I wouldn't have minded dragging that out, but I am in a hurry." With that like with a runner and the bang of a starting pistol, the man hurried over to the house next door, and got into the black camero in the driveway. With little, or none, regards for the possibility of incoming traffic, he peeled out of the driveway, and hurried to return the briefcase, and get to work on the job. He turned up the music. It was thrash today. Hopefully something in the fascinatingly technical instruments would give his mind a jolt on where the best place to start would be.

[McFazzer]

Adrian had migrated to the public building and was sitting next to some young kid who tried to take a long walk off a small roof. Turns out she wasn't trying to shuffle off this mortal coil, but wanted to see if she could fly. Adrian was doing his best to explain why that was a bad idea. He didn't think it would take too long. He saw a fiery glow in the distance, but he knew would be too far away to be of any help, plus Pushing metal is not all that useful in putting out a fire. As he was leading Little Miss Flygirl down the stairs, hoping that she wouldn't go back up once he left, his phone buzzed informing Adrian to "...Please report to the LAPD HQ for further instructions."

Speaking aloud to himself Adrian lamented what will probably happen as a result "Well time to pick up a new briefcase full of pocket notebooks, there are going to be a lot more drastic consequences for my actions... just do more Good than Harm" sighing at the end. Lightening himself slightly Adrian jumped up above a car and Pushed himself into the sky. Returning to his 3/4 weight Adrian feels the support structure of the surrounding buildings and Pushes forward, shooting himself through the streets like a bullet-train on tracks.

"Valentine, he is a criminal, he needs to be punished to the full extent of the law, but he is getting a deal." This upset Adrian more than he cared to admit, especially since Valentine has caused far more harm than good, something that goes against Adrian's very nature, but Government work isn't always an easy pill to swallow. It actually surprised Adrian that he even got the call, ever since his straightforwardness had the habit of messing with any political machinations.

Approaching the LAPD HQ, Adrian hovered about two blocks away composing himself and then slowly lowered himself and started walking the rest of the way, straightening his tie, polishing his cuff links and fixing his hair. Flying around can really mess your clothes up bad and bugs are always a concern and Adrian felt pretentious just dropping out of the sky at someone's front door. Even if it is the police. Showing respect in yourself and in others is a much nicer way to live. Stopping to look at his reflection in a window Adrian finally turned the corner that put him in front of LAPD.

Taking the front steps two at a time Adrian held the door open for an officer exiting the station and made his way in. Adrian was certain that he could simply walk on through to whatever conference room that he was supposed to go to, but he instead stood in line for general service. Hands clasped behind his back Adrian rocked back and forth on his feet and waited to be served, smiling as he did and watched the crowd around him.

[AcerRo]

At a junkyard in nortj Hollywood, Elijah was busy destroying the stolen car. A junkyard was an ideal place for a safe house, mostly because of all the metal around him. If there worst were to happen it wouldn't be all that hard to get away. It also being in North Hollywood meant if he needed to he could skip out of the city quickly. All of which were important in his line of work. In his mind driving north to an airport in Oregon was just as quick as going through LAX.

Pulling into the junkyard Elijah found a place to park the stolen car in the back of lot. The building that wasn't too different from any other eight bay mechanic shop. He owned the last two for all intents and purposes. The very last one was where he kept all his gear. Anything and everything he could need for working in Los Angeles, clothing, weapons, ammo and his motorcycle. The second to last where he parked the stolen car was little more than a chop shop. It was easier and more profitable to steal a car valued at over a 100k and bring it here to scrapped for parts than it was paying out of pocket for the space and access at any time. Leaving the keys in the car he grabbed his helmet and opened his personal bay.

His person bay contained a motorcycle lift in the center, the bike that sat upon it was his Triumph 675R. Along the back was a work bench bookended by two rolling red tool boxes filled with every tool one would need to work on both his bikes. His work bench contain a vise grip, lamp and while not large it had plenty of room to work. Along the right wall was what he called his working clothes. It was little more than a than three racks, each for a different purposes. One rack was for clothing, both is casual everyday grab and his mercenary garb. Next was a boot rack, then one for his helmets. He held a deep pride in his helmets. Even though they all looked the same, each was very different from one another. One was built with Kevlar, another made for shock absorption still another made for communication . Ten helmets sat in two rows of five, one row on top of the other, each with a different purpose.

The left wall was he called his "Assault Wall." It was mostly guns, ammo, explosives and yet again another work bench. This one was for cleaning and repairing his weapons as well bomb building. Elijah had very little need for bombs, as such his skills didn't extend much past pipe bombs and simple explosives. There wasn't many things that he couldn't destroy without any help. Still when needed the loud bangs worked wonderfully for distractions.

Elijah walked to the bench on his Assault Wall and picked up his FNP .45 as well as a one of his pocket knives. Placing his weapons in their respective places on his body and turned his attention to his motorcycle. After getting it off the lift and putting on his helmet, he was off to a bar, that he was known at but didn't attend regularly. This was his meeting place for certain clients, one that he wasn't all that worried about repeat business.

Upon walking in he was greeted by the bar keep. After a drink or two Elijah made a phone call to his latest client but before making use of the outside seating. Elijah gave him directions and waited for him to arrive outside of the bar. Once the client was in earshot of Elijah, he spoke calmly and never looked at the client. "Go inside and get two beets, come back out with two cigarettes and the drinks. Not a word until then."He did as he was told and took a seat next Elijah.

"Thank you for helping my family get through. Justice will help the healing process." The client said in full sincerity. Elijah couldn't help but laugh. "All its going to do is help you lose a lot of sleep. Killing him wasn't justice, there is no justice in sending someone to do your dirty work... All you sought was a cowards way out. You've done nothing noble, you just hired someone to to burn some trash. I know you spent a lot of money to find me, every penny I can finds will be given back to you to help that little girl see a shrink. I don't care if you need the money or not, thats what is going to happen. The moment I find otherwise, I'll kill each member of your family right in front of you. Agreed?" His question answered itself by Elijah's tone and the client knew he wasn't lying. "You got the tab, pay it and leave. I'll be watching out for that little girl. I'll call the debt paid for one. I'll need a favor one day, its going to be in your best intrest not to say no." Eli waved him off.

"Thank you sir, thank you so much." Those were the last words before the man scurried away. The moment he was gone, Elijah started singing to himself.

I've jeopardized my safety
Everywhere I go
'Cause everybody knows me
Down in the valleys of Mexico

But Christ I must of lost my mind
I never figured Jesus for the jealous guy
A stronger man will never know
'Til you hear him singing from the church window

She said, "Everyone wants to be alone, until they are alone.
Everybody wants to be alone, until they are alone..."


Elijah lit one of the cigarettes and started work on his third beer. At least it was a lovely day to commit a murder. He had a feeling that this day wasn't going to end anytime soon. He smiled as his phone rang and he saw the name.

[MiddleEarthRoze]

Rozalia wasn't happy.
After finishing up with her flight around town - mostly calm apart from the house fire - she was ready for some food and maybe a movie. Until she got that damn text.
"Report to the LAPD for further instructions.,.Bastardi." She muttered as she saw the message on the phone given to her by the government, for "Work" use only. With a sigh, she placed her face mask back on, and walked over to the balcony.
It was going to be a long day.

---

She reached the police department in no time, although she got a few looks off the police officers milling about as she landed at the front doors. She knew they didn't particularly trust her - being new, and not really looking like your stereotypical hero - but that didn't bother her. She was used to worse than dubious glares from these pathetic law enforcers; if you could even call them that.
"Ciao, Adrian." She called out as she spotted Adrian within the police station, the remnants of her old Italian accent filtering through her surprisingly sweet voice. The two heroes were now getting stares from the various people within the station. "How's life?"

[Nosuchthing]

Hana Jameson was woken when her computer beeped insistently. She raised her head groggily, and grimaced as her cheek peeled away from the metal surface. Specialist tools were scattered on the worktop before her, and a half-dismantled device lay in pieces. She blinked and looked around, her eyes finally settling on the clock mounted on the opposite wall. She shook her head in exasperation. All these late nights were getting to her, the job seemed to be getting harder recently, the nights longer, and her sleep more restless.

She turned in her chair to glance over to the still beeping computer, the screen was displaying a priority alert, she sighed and then rolled over to the computer, hitting the enter key to acknowledge the message.

'Valentine Caro has agreed to consider negotiations. He has requested protection during this period of deliberation. For this purpose, in addition to your other responsibilities, you have been tasked with guarding Caro. Please report to the LAPD HQ for further instructions.'

Hana’s eyes narrowed, she knew who he was of course, and she knew what he was responsible for. She’d been caught in the crossfire between the NTE and the Crips too many times to not be aware, as well as cracking down on NTE operations in LA. It had been a relief to find that their leader was in custody, until the attacks had started…

Now he was going to get out scot free? At least it might mean an end to the NTEs terror campaign, much as she detested the idea of the man walking free, she could not simply stand by and watch innocent people die at the hands of his followers. And the names of the mercenary capes? That was valuable, there were several active in Los Angeles, and all of them were dangerous, all of them were killers.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Neoteris pulled into the Police Station Parking lot. Her motorcycle purred as she decelerated, then she carefully stepped from the motorcycle, leaving it to coast to a stop in a parking bay, the gyroscope in the centre of the body keeping it upright, while judgement ensured it didn’t overshoot.

She rubbed the base of her spine through the suit, and then continued on into the station, appraising the two capes already present. She knew who they were, but her visor highlighted them and named them regardless.

“Adrian, Nightingale.”

She nodded to the two heroes, “how’s it going?”

She motioned towards a door, “come on, we should go straight in, no sense in hanging about.”

[a00000000000]

As Anon was chatting with Mist, his phone went off. What he heard made him frown a bit under his mask, something he rarely did. He rarely liked showing emotion, but he was mad. Less so because of the chance of him getting found and imprisoned, but more so because the damn police and Heroes decided they could waltz on in and steal his job. No, this wasn't something he'd let happen. He went to his texts and texted all his fellow Mercs that he had contact info with, which was quite a bit, this: 'What's your thoughts on the situation?' a simple question, but he'd never be able to bust the leader out on his own. He'd need the other Mercs to help.

[duskshine749]

After the photo shoot Jason had just gone home, he wasn't expecting anything else to go on that day for him. Aperture usually gave him a day or two heads up before they needed him for a negotiation. That night though was different, he got a message on his phone saying there was a security breach and they would very much appreciate his expertise in learning more from whoever it was who broke in. Jason sighed and headed downstairs from his apartment to drive over to the facility. He wanted to just relax but they needed his help, it was part of his contract.

Upon arriving at the facility he headed to sector 20, seeing a group of security persons and figuring he was in the right place. Before any of them could ask any questions he said, "I'm Jason Evander, Meta under contract by Aperture, I was sent a message saying they wanted me specifically." Looking at the group he noticed the girl from the photo shoot was there also. He knew she was a Meta from what she did earlier, but he didn't realize she worked for Aperture.

[NarcissisticPotato]

This was really not good. Nope; this was very definitely the worst situation she could have hoped for. It was stupid of her - she should have hid those security guards and then, at least, she would have had a little time to escape. Ruby, however, couldn't spend her time going over different alternatives to her situation. Letting out a deep sigh, she collected up her gear. Unfortunately, she could only keep the hard drive in her jacket and everything else had to go. Unfortunately, her drones had to go too but they could actually have a use. Lifting them from her pocket, she lifted out the command remote and put them on patrol mode. "Just buy me some time." She whispered before letting them fly free.

Almost immediately, the small little robots took flight and guided themselves up into an air vent with enough precision to make her proud. Smiling brightly at them, she shook off her silly pride and set about preparing a way to allow herself to escape. More than likely, this place was surrounded with enough cops and probably one or two metas. Aperture was a big company and had the money to hire these Metas but Ruby was almost sure that they were part of some group that provided a blanket protection to their companies.

The first part of her plan wasn't the easiest - she had to purposely make a few cuts and bruises along her body so that it appeared that she had been a little roughed up. Sighing, she stripped to her underwear in a secluded area of the server room and proceeded to lift a small, cracked piece of glass. Biting her lip, she gently ran it along the soft skin of her upper arm before putting more pressure on it and forcing the edge to cut down into her skin. Crying out, she bit her lip in pain and stuck through it.

After a long few minutes of cutting and punching various injuries onto her body, she seemed satisfied with the result and quickly moved onto her clothing. It had to look like she had been attacked so she made sure to slash at the clothing a lot more but keep it in-line with her current injuries.

Finally, she lifted her battered body and climbed into her clothes once more. Unfortunately, this was the only plan she could think of and she had serious doubts if it would even work. For all she knew, they could have caught images of her on CCTV and knew exactly what she looked like. It was the only choice she had, however, and she was left with no option but to try and attempt to leave the building.

After pressing through various security doors, she finally arrived in the main hall that had been practically abandoned. Noticing a new blockade of officers and a mean-looking blonde, she cried out in false pain; making it loud enough to be audible by them. "Help..." She croaked, toppling to her hands and knees as she put on the best injured face she could muster. In the end, it looked like she was a little out of it but she made sure to cringe and whimper in pain. "Help..." She cried out again, falling down onto her stomach with enough stunning acting to warrant a reward of some sort. "He's way back there."

[Whirlwind]

Sparks was outside her building, leaning against a side outer wall and debating whether or not to go inside. She was running through her options, arm still bleeding quite well, when her thigh buzzed. She frowned, using her uninjured arm to reach over and pull her cell out of her pocket. She pulled her mask up onto her forehead for a second and breathed heavily, still not recovered completely from her fight, as she read the text from Anon. They had met before. The first time was when she had gotten in too deep against a guy who she underestimated, and Anon had just shown up and for some reason, took her side and took care of the guy. And when you did something like that for another cape, you became allies. However unwittingly, however unintentional. She still owed him for that one actually. She hated owing people.

What’s your thoughts on this situation?

”Well I don’t like it,” she grumbled, sighing heavily and leaning her head back against the building and letting the phone lazily hit her thigh as her arm relaxed. She closed her eyes and slid down the building, sitting on the ground and letting every face of every person she’d ever murdered flash through her mind. There were so many. But in her mind, they’d all deserved it. Every case was self-defense, or she’d seen then about to kill, or they’d already committed a crime. She’d done LA so much good. And she lived with her demons for them. And now this gangster was going to ruin it. Ruin her. Ruin street justice. Taking care of the criminals the justice system ignore or let go free.

Growling under her breath she opened her eyes once more and held up the phone, texting back:

I say Caro’s life for all the lives we can save if we don’t start getting hunted down by the cops
SEND

Yes. She would kill Caro and hoped Anon and anyone else he knew would join. She only knew of one other merc she had any sort of vague agreement with, and she knew there were a heck of a lot more than 2 in the city. And she wasn’t sure how to take out Caro alone.

Biting her bottom lip she stood back up again, sliding her mask back down and sneaking back into her building. She made her way to her apartment the same way she’d left it, and shut the door silently behind her. In the dark she made her way to the bathroom, light coming on without a touch. She set to work taking off her costume and climbing in the tub, cleaning her cut and stitching it up. Slowly bruises began to appear on her from the fight she’d gotten in, but she hardly minded them. The stitches were what hurt like crazy. By the time she was done, her hands were a little shaky and she wandered into her kitchen for a bottle of booze, leaning on the kitchen counter and thinking of how best to go about this mission she’d given herself. Kill someone protected, probably by heroes, in police custody. Fun.

[Unknown100]

You would have to look far for a person with steps more quiet. Yet the speed, for which she moved, was also near impossible to match.
The dusty, dark hallways seemed to contain an unlimited amount of doors, but there was no doubt in Kate’s mind which was the right one.
Oh so silently the door was pushed open by her fingertips. The light revealed it was already occupied.
Only just did the target have time to see her before she was on him. Both knees held down his struggling arms and her face leaned down for a thunderbolt of a kiss. A few main courses had been knocked down as both individuals had taken their place on the table.
Surprisingly for the first second Mark did resist. Eyes were little cracks and his body seemed tightened. He was in a suit certainly finer than the costume he put on each morning for work.
With just a slight smirk Kate moved a little back, freeing him and releasing her fingers from his collar. Though they looked tight, her jeans allowed full movement, as did the red top behind the leather jacket.

“This is my fault, but… Kate, you shouldn’t have done that. ”

At the moment Kate’s eyes were scanning the decorations around, not the seriousness in his voice.
The building was set for demolition later this very day, however this particular room was just one president away from being dinner at the White House. Long table with everything from salad to beef. Cola to vodka. All neatly set up. The portable lights on the floor almost made it out for candles, and the snacks almost made it out for roses.
“You bought all this for me?” she asked in a teasing fashion.
On a midlevel government employee salary, it indeed was hard to imagine. As was his sudden spontaneousness. An abandoned high-school at midday this was so not, Mark; the guy she had been with for the last month or so.

“No,” a voice echoed from the door. “I did…”

In walked a skinny elderly man, almost fragile-looking. The logo on the jacket could not be misinterpreted.
The Cabrillo fucking Group!

For the first time in forever Kate’s aura of confidence disappeared from her delicate features, and changed into a hard grimace.
“What the hell is this?” She jumped down and looked from one guy to the other.

“Kate I’m so sorry. I-” But Mark’s apology was interrupted by her incoming elbow that send him right back on the table – now bleeding.

Then all the attention was directed at this stranger who started to open his mouth in a way too snobbish manner.
“You must be wondering why we are down here miss.”

“Actually I’m wondering why my foot isn’t down your throat,” became her reply.

“We are here to offer you a deal.”

Without joy her eyes peek over at the fabulous dinner table. “And you do that by tricking me to come here?”

“We could have met you with a firing squad; we choose a more polite manner.”
Much like a scarecrow the movement of this guy was stiff and awkward. Unlike her fluid cat movements. It truly became clear as they circled each other. This also gave Kate some time to think.

Her and Mark had planned to take down the Government together. To find out what they were hiding about gifted people and then crush them from within. Mark worked for them, but as he found out he too was gifted, E rank, he worried for his safety. He needed help, then one ting had let to another. Now Kate and he was together. He had said Kate was special, maybe he even loved her. She had never let him get too close, but damn, she had believed him. And now he had outright betrayed her: Made her meet him here right in the cross-hair. A part of her wanted to feed both men the other one’s teeth.

Now her thoughts were interrupted by the hollow sound of the Cabrillo Group’s representative.
“As you have probably figured out, you, miss X, are never stronger than your weakest link.”

“And that’s Mark, yeah I get it,” she said.
Somewhere behind her someone sounded hurt in more than one way.

However the guy, circling her, smiled.
“Our organization has spent a fortune just finding him, after getting to you was deemed near impossible even with our means.”

Now Mark finally spoke up. “You lied to me, you bastard. You said you already knew where she was.” The nativity proved the notion, of him being the weakest link, 100% right. Mark had clearly screwed up and let the organization get an audience with none other than the girl who used to make the rules about meetings.

Kate bit her lip and said to the stranger at the door: “I have my sources. I already know about your little problem. And now you want me to stop the attacks happening.” Much to the men's surprise she returned to her usual tone as her experience and instincts told her this guy was indeed telling the truth: No one really was around. No henchmen, no traps, nothing. The Cabrillo Group did try reasoning with her.

But again Mark cut in. “No. No, all they want is to ask you a few questions. Nothing major.”

“Is that what they told you?” She saw a bit of relief in his eyes as she finally faced Mark again. Not with the cheerful delight she used to, but still she faced him, and it seemed to release him from a bit of the agony.
“The Cabrillo Group want me to tip the balance,” she guessed. “They want me to get Valentin Caro to plea like a dog and accept the bargain.”

“Why do you think that?..”

Here she turned around and walked right up into the stranger's face. Even he seemed a bit uncomfortable by this sudden move, yet he remained tall and steady. Kate raised an eyebrow and confidence behind her eyes shined through. “Because they know I can do it.”

[StephenRouse]

>>>www.herowatch.com/forum/

---

Forum News and Confirmations

Forum News
>>>Where important news regarding the forum is posted, including upcoming features, events, and changelogs.
Confirmations
>>>Every week we post the newest confirmed metas and experts on our forums here.

General Discussion

Metahuman News
>>>News regarding Metas is discussed here. Please include any relevant articles, and keep things CIVIL!
Metahuman Discussion
>>>Miscellanious discussion on Metas should be brought here. Anything that doesn't fit another topic belonds here.
Fan Clubs
>>>Fandoms of every cape under the sun. Even some of the less savorable ones. Oh my.
Superpower Discussion
>>> We all know why you're really here. Whether you're just a day dreamer, or a meta in need of assisance, nerd out over powers here!

Off Topic

Other News
>>> Articles not related directly related to Metas belong here. Remember to include relevant articles!
Off Topic Discussion
>>> Your #1 place to socialize!
Spam/Test Sub
>>> I'll still ban you, idiot.

---

>>>General Discussion>>>Metahuman News>>>Violence in Maywood[p37]

[ESCapricorn][MWS]>I don't understand why there's so much controversy over Caro handing over the Mercenaries! I know some of you guys totally fanboy over them, but seriously, they're only hurting our community in the long run. I know most of this stuff is just rumors, but I heard from a good source that a major data leak over at Aperture Labs was carreid out by a Merc. APERTURE. You know, the billion-dollar futurist company, the one that has a history of WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT!? We defend these crooks, and then wonder why there's so much violence on the streets! To hell with them!

[BlackMamba][MWS]> I know what you're saying, Capricorn, but I can't really agree with you. Yeah, these guys are doing bad things like everyone else, but they also do some good. A lot of them are crazy, but my own source said that his college buddy paid for one of the hired guns. He worked cheap, and got the job done fast. I won't say what he did, but let's just say that fire over on Keystone was no accident. The guy caught in it deserved what he got, fucking monster.

[LAcopperman][LAPD INFORMANT]> say what you want, I'm just glad this shit storm is about to end. All of these bombings have made my job an absolute hell. I'll try and keep you all up to date.

[Crimson][CHICAGO CAPE]> I feel sorry for everyone caught in this cross fire, and I send my sincerest apologies. Caro and his gang truly are monsters. I know I speak for all my compatriots when I say that I hope Valentin gets his just deserts.

[CriMeARiver]> CRIMSON! <33333 I LUV U! I agree fuk Caro!

[ESCapricorn][MWS]> BalckMamba, even if the man was a monster, that is WRONG. He should have been brought to court and tried fairly, like ANY OTHER PERSON. Did he deserve what he got? Maybe, but that doesn't change that he has basic human rights. Get over your blatant fanboy hard on for underworld Mercs and GROW UP!

[Micah][MODERATOR]> Please keep this discussion civil. I understand being a Maywood survivor must put an incredible amount of stress on you both, but I will not hesitate to ban either of you.

---

>>>General Discussion>>>Fan Clubs>>>The Heroes!![p1]

[BorealisLights]> So, has anyone else thought about the new guys protecting LA? Maybe I'm just into bad boys, but Ray and Connor are soo cool looking! Adrian is also really cute, but really not my type. I don't know about the girls, they all seem really cool and strong too. I think they're gonna do a good job, maybe even better than the Magi!

[KurtBCE][KNIGHTS FC PRES]> Are you kidding?! They may seem really cool, but there's no way they'll stand up to the memory of the Magi. I don't even understand why they pulled the Magi out of LA, it's ridiculous. Anyways, The Heroes look good, even if their name is cliched, but not Magi good. And of course, they're nowhere near The Knights(;

[BadMCboi]> the girls of the heroes are all really hot. i mean come on, they're smoking!!! neo, roze, eve, i mean damn. maybe they're not the best looking team, but they're the best LOOKING team hahah!

[Fazoodleshoot][MWS][GOLD CONTRIBUTOR]> The Heroes have only been around for a short while, a couple of months at most? Anyways, they're good. I've seen them in action a couple of times, I've heard friends and family talk about seeing them, and they're not bad at all. I think the biggest problem is that there's so few. I mean, a city as big as LA should have a dozen capes! Instead, they're all either in DC or overseas! I like the Heroes, but WHY AREN'T THERE MORE!?

[BlackMamba][MWS]> I disagree Fazoodle, we give the Fed capes enough respect. They get paid more in a year than a Marine does in two, and they have great health benefits. Back on topic, the Heroes are doing ok. Maywood is still burning, my brother is in the hospital.. but I suppose they're doing their job. I have to admit, I'm kind of crushing on the girls..

[TrinityBlade]> I love the Heroes! They're doing a good job filling in the gap the Magi made when they left, and I'm definitely a fan!

---

General Discussion>>>Metahuman Discussion>>>Why do we allow corporations to hire capes?

[CCKing]>Vados, you just have to look at the Maywood incident to see why your theories are completely wrong. The Cabrillo Group has a number of capes under their hire, and so far they haven't made any moves to attack the NTE. Some corporations could conceivably raise a small army, but they would be NOTHING compared to the US Military Capes. They have nearly a thousand in their employ! Not to mention we have the Guardians! Who would DARE cross our nation's protectors? Yeah, maybe the military capes aren't great, but the Guardians are all S Rank! Nobody stands a chance! So yeah. You're wrong.

[VadosG]> Umm, except that there's plenty of corporations out there? Are you forgetting that there are dozens of multi-billion dollar corporations out there? We can already see that most of them are clamoring to hire any cape out there! I will also use Cabrillo Group's capes as my example! Honestly, do you expect them to just stand by and do nothing? I guartuntee something is going to go down. Valentin's boys have just destroyed a Cabrillo warehouse full of electronics worth MILLIONS! They won't stand for it! And with four powerful capes under their lead, they're going to stomp on the NTE if they don't stop.

[CCKing]> Your argument is based soley on hypotheticals, Vados. IF the NTE doesn't stop, IF Cabrillo is angry, IF the capes will even obey those orders, IF the fed capes don't solve everything first! You watch, Cabrillo will sit on its ass and let the feds take care of their problem for free. The most they'll have their team do is respond to attacks. Watch.

[LAcopperman][LAPD INFORMANT]> I can say, for certain, that the LAPD has Valentin firmly under control and under protection by The Heroes. We will work on the plea bargain, and we hope the terrorist attacks by his organization will end. It is unfortunate that we do not keep him in custody, though. I don't know what's going through Chief's head. Any way, the Cabrillo capes will play very little into this process, or at least that's what my information states.

[VadosG]> But they WILL play a part, you're saying? I knew it!

[CCKing]> Shut up, Vados. Geeze.
---

[RumikoOhara]

"Big Bad"

Cypress sees a man come up that she remembers from her photo shoot and listens as he introduces himself to Commander Bennett as Jason Evander. She sends a text message to the ops center requesting any Intel on him while still seeming to simply relax on the guardrail.

Evander Jason.......................................age 20
Position Electrician and Meta
Ability Mentalist

Is what OPS sends back and it's revelation annoys Cypress for it's brevity.

She is about to say something to him when out of the watched facility comes an injured young woman who falls to her stomach crying out for help and saying some man's way back there.

Cypress doesn't move from her position but she does stand as her Slick field erects around her. She is now ready for battle but rather than rush to the injured woman she allows Bennett to send three officers to her aid.

"Please try not to move" says one of the officers as he drops beside her and checks her I'd then calls her by the name he finds on it as the other two kneel facing the building entrance their modified AR-15s pressed tight to their shoulders. They form a shield between the victim and any harm that might emerge from the building. Another officer runs to the girl carrying a bright orange medical case which he opens as he begins a battery of questions about here injuries and condition.

Bennett no amateur to sieges or situational command sends in a six man team motioning for Cypress an Jason to stay put
Cypress is his heavy weapon and he knows better than to deploy her on scant information and Jason though an unknown quantity is still a Meta Mentaist with attack powers. No before Bennett deploys them he will have a target.

As he awaits his entry team's report Bennett glances at Cypress an evil grin on his lips. He knows her abilities and knows that she is a very dedicated member of the Aperture family and the fastest person here.

Cypress for her part relaxes her body without going limp; her stance is similar to a baseball player ready to steal second as soon as the pitcher throws the ball. She looks at Jason with a smile her eyes glittering with predatory anticipation.

[pockets]

Connor got the message. He didn't want to answer the message but he got it. With a sigh he hung a sharp left onto first street and hear down five blocks. Luckily he had been close and 100 1st St loomed ahead. The large building was an imposing display of glass and steel but still had an artistic look to the architecture. He'd anyways liked the building when he'd been there before.

Usually he was in handcuffs but that was another story.

He hopped the curb, his bike clearing a foot into the air before the tires struck ground again and he stopped the machine five feet from the large glass doors. Heeling the kickstand he thumbed the kill switch and the rumbling engine died instantly.

He climbed of and was pulling off his helmet as a uniform ran up to him.

"Hey, buddy," he said. "You can't park that there."

Connor smiled at the guy and set his helmet on the tank. He pocketed the key and tapped the tank with one hand. "Look, boyo. I got business inside. If'n ye can figur' out how ta move it, then yer welcome ta tow it."

With that he pushed past the officer, confident his adjustments to the bikes gravitational orientation would keep the vehicle stationary no mate what the police tried.

Inside he noticed a small gathering beginning. His perusal of the files he had told him they were likely his fellow 'heros' so he walked up.

"Ello." He stopped and smiled brightly at Neoteres. "Names Connor. Heros, righ'?" He glanced around and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. "Nice ta meetcha."

[McFazzer]

Adrian was trying to hide his smile as the officers around him tried not to stare. They were obviously confused as to why a Hero was waiting for anything. A few young officers came close to asking and then turned away as if intimidated. Adrian waited a little longer, playing Snake on his phone, when he heard an Italian accent call his name. Turning and grinning Adrian responded to Miss Nightingale "Ciao bella! Io sono abbastanza bene... know now that I've exhausted all my knowledge of the Italian language, one month of classes can only teach you so much! How about yourself? How are you Miss Nightingale?"

As he answered he heard his name again. "Hello Miss Neoteris, as I said to Miss Nightingale I'm alright." hearing Neoteris' urging to go further inside Adrian responded "You are right Miss Neoteris we should probably go in, but we've all been to these things or at least similar meetings, right? They probably will have us wait an hour before seeing us. Although that could just them not liking me all that much." Adrian always did try to be as polite as possible, no sense in offending anyone you want watching over you. Plus they're generally all nice people so it's no trouble at all.

There was a small commotion outside and Adrian saw a young man come in. He soon heard that he was "Conner," but since he was obviously talking with Neoteris it seemed like it would be rude to simply intrude. Smiling to no one in particular Adrian figured that despite his protests it would be best for the Heroes to start making their way to the whatever Government office they were to briefed in and gestured to the group to indicate that.

[MiddleEarthRoze]

Rozalia couldn't help but smile at Adrian, the only visible part of her face showing as her eyes crinkled up. She supposed out of all of the Heroes she had met so far, Adrian appeared to be the most.. approachable one.
The other two here, she was unsure about. Neoteris... another female, not that it made her any more spectacular or less dangerous. And Connor - Irish, and pretty strong, depending on his power. He appeared to have a worse attitude to this whole Hero business than she did.
"I'm fine, Adrian, Neoteris.. Although not particularly happy as to why we're here." She responded in English, glancing around. "However, I don't plan on waiting around for very long. We should probably go and interrupt one of their meetings." She said in an amused tone. "We are heroes, after all; shouldn't keep a hero waiting."

[a00000000000]

Anon put his phone back in his pocket and jumped from the dide ofthe building. When he was about to hit the ground, he teleported onto it. His teleporting only allows him to keep momentum if he wants to. He walked back home, whistling to an unexisting song. When he got there, he took out a banana and began eating it. He sat down in his living room on the couch and 'watched' TV. His phone buzzed.

Well I don’t like it

He was able to 'read' text messages because he made it so everytime it opened up a new text, it would say it out loud to him. A few moments later there was another text.

I say Caro’s life for all the lives we can save if we don’t start getting hunted down by the cops

He thought for a moment, and took off his hoodie and mask. He typed: "I don't really care what we and the other Mercs do, as long as my job isn't taken. I'll follow the majority of Mercs on what we do." he put his phone in his pocket and went back to his banana and TV.

[Empath]

It had been a long and tiresome day - and it was only Wednesday; he still had to survive through two more days in this downright stupid and boring job as a journalist in a small newspaper! Steve grumbled under his own breath as he made his way up the stairs to his rundown apartment that, while not completely in ruins (yet), wasn’t that well kept - but, he reminded himself, at least the rent was rather cheap for a location close to town.
As he made his way to his dark wooden door to his apartment he withdrew a metal key and unlocked the door. The well-known odour of his own apartment went up his nostrils: a mix of overdue laundry, dust and day old pizza. He didn’t even stop a second to ponder over this smell, he had already gotten use to it years ago - he wasn’t much of a sanitary-kind of guy after all and as such it didn’t bother him that much. As he moved through his apartment his goal was becoming clear: his cabinet where he held all of his liquor, now it is important to note that Steve wasn’t a drunk, he had never thrown a drunk-fit nor annoyed anyone while under the influence of alcohol, he was, however, a man that enjoyed a glass or two of whiskey. 
The wooden door to the cabinet swung open and a bottle of 15-year old Greenore was withdrawn from one of the shelves together with a heavy whiskey glass. Steve let his body collapse heavily against the old leather couch he had had since he moved in too many years ago, poured himself a glass of the dark liquor and turn on the television - it was one of the usual mass-produced American shows that was on at the moment.
Steve did not, however, get a chance to finish his first glass of whiskey. No, from the shadows of the room a high pitched voice spoke out, sending a wave of electricity up his spine, causing his hand to jolt with surprise.

“Now now, Steve” the female voice spoke out in a cold tone, “do you really think you have the right to enjoy a glass of whiskey after all you’ve done?”

Steve didn’t even have the strength to scream as all the energy in his body seemed to have been drained the instance the cold voice had started speaking, yet somehow even in the state of shock he was in the coward known as Steve managed to utter a single question.

“W-who are you!?” he stammered in the direction of the shadowy figure in the corner of his dark room, however, the only answer that he received was a wicked white grin.

“Now that is a good question” Evelyn finally answered through her grin, “however, it is completely unnecessary: you’re not going to get any use of that information”

She said, her tone still held a cold edge to it as she stepped out of the shadows into the dim light of the television that now showed a woman in tears, most likely after having received some amazing gift from the show’s producers - you know; the usual boring American television tricks to garner more views, however none in that specific room payed much attention to the wonders that occurred in the television next to them. Instead Evelyn started speaking before the guy in front of her could get a chance to respond.

“And do you know why, Steve Narvik?” she said, this time her cold voice was accompanied by a pair of piercingly cold eyes, “it is quite simple actually. You, Steve Narvik - that is indeed your name, isn’t it? Steve Narvik, 36 years old, writer at Los Angeles supernatural newspaper, no next of kin-” she spoke in a monotone voice as she was reading it from a report, but as she opened to her mouth again to speak it had taken on a much fiercer tone.

“- and wanted to 3 murders on meta-humans. Do you have any last words in your own defence, Mr. Narvik?”

Steve Narvik’s brain didn’t catch onto what the woman in front of him had said until a few seconds after the voice had reached his ears. She knew his secret - but how? He was sure that he had hidden every trace of him, they shouldn’t be able to find any evidence linking the murders to him…

“W-what are you talking about!?” he suddenly screamed, fear seemed to have taken over his brain, making him look for desperate ways out of this situation. “I-I haven’t killed anyone!”

“Denying it won’t change anything, Mr. Narvik” Evelyn spoke coldly, taking one step closer to the murderer in front of her, “I am not here to judge whether you have indeed done any of these things, I am simply here to perform the verdict of your sentence”

A sudden realisation wen’t through Steve’s mind, he couldn’t argue himself out of this situation, that much was clear. The person in front of him wasn’t your go-to cop, no she was definitely something else.

“you’re a ‘hero’, aren’t you?” he blurted out without thinking as the answer came to him.

“Well aren’t you a clever one…” Evelyn replied with an ice cold voice, stripped of any form of surprise or humour: just pure stern sarcasm. Without waiting any further she took a step forward, she needed to end this - it had already taken far too long already…

“F-fuck you!” Steve yelled, taking a step back as he summoned a flame from his hand, “I won’t let you do anything to me! You will be just another one of my ‘trophies’!” 
With that he launched himself forward towards the person in front of him, but before his flaming hand could reach her she disappeared - however before his slow brain could understand what had happened he felt the touch of a hand on his right shoulder from behind.

“Steve Narvik, murderer of 3 people - and a level E meta-human” Evelyn commented, “do you really think you could ever stand a chance against me?”

Her cold tone was now as cold as ice, the sheer difference in power was apparent even in her posture - and the realisation of their difference had also taken root in the person in front of her: she could see the terror within his eyes as the knowledge of this being the last moments of his miserable life echoed through his mind.

“P-please…!” Steve begged, however he couldn’t speak any further. He felt how all of the energy within him drained, he couldn’t even stand up any longer as the strength in his leg-muscles disappeared. he fell to his knees and with one last horror-filled look at the woman behind him she collapsed onto his dirty floor.

Evelyn looked down at the body in front of her, with a sigh she closed her eyes and used her right hand to rub her neck, she could feel how the energy she had just absorbed erupted inside of her, however she was apparently not allowed to enjoy the feeling of utter empowerment for long as the noise of vibrations echoed from her right pocket. She reached down to grab her phone, turning it on she saw a message from HQ:

'Valentine Caro has agreed to consider negotiations. He has requested protection during this period of deliberation. For this purpose, in addition to your other responsibilities, you have been tasked with guarding Caro. Please report to the LAPD HQ for further instructions.’

“Oh for Christ sake,” she mumbled annoyed under her breath, “and here I had just hoped for a small vacation…”

However she didn’t wait long: with one last look at the man she had just murdered she turned around and reached for glass full of the dark liquid. Raising the cold glass to her lips she enjoyed a sip of the dark liquor before she simply disappeared, leaving the glass of whiskey hanging in mid air for the briefest of moments before it realised that it did not, however, have the ability to fly, sending it crashing downwards towards its doom.

Evelyn jumped out of the clean air in the middle of LAPD HQ, using her regular way of entering a room instead of walking in through the doors as most people would. She quickly scanned the room, noticing her fellow ‘heroes’ and the surroundings. It seemed to be your standard police headquarters, nothing special - that is, other than the group of meta-humans in the middle of the room: Connor, Adrian and Rozalia. With a crooked grin she joined the group of her fellow meta-humans, giving each of them a nod of respect before she opened her mouth.

“Well I see I am not the first for once, eh?” she grinned widely.