The slap to his ass made him yelp in surprise as his face went beet red. Meifeng was messing with him. Again. As the crowd collectively swiveled their heads towards him, he shrank in her arm, shying away from the attention as best as he could.
"I-I didn't agree to this, Mei -"
The loud gunshot interrupted him as it rang out across the beach. A moment of stunned, deer-in-the-headlights silence followed, after which all hell broke loose. People began screaming as they panicked and ran for the nearest exit. Some even ran past him, vaulting over the low fence and onto the beachhead as they ran.
Cole ducked down along with Mei, hands above his head. His heart was racing, but more importantly his vision was racing faster. He could see the frenzied spirals of data from phones all around him as people panicked and ran, people taking the time to compose tweets of all things, along with the usual 911 calls that were directed to Verthaven's police department.
That gave him an idea though...as Meifeng called up her water powers and dashed over to a fallen figure that could only be someone friendly to them, he whipped out his phone and jacked in. The onrush of his metaphysical body transferring into the digital world was something he would never grow tired of; like falling down an endless hallway as the walls and ceiling and floor stretched out around you like a rubber band, and you fell and fell and fell until you hit the ground at which point everything snapped back into place, slightly different than in was before.
Around him, chaos reigned, as usual, but where there had been tiny silver strings of data before, in his vision now were bright, glowing highways, each one diverting itself away into the sky or out somewhere else in the city. His physical body was crouched down next to Jennifer, totally spaced out staring at his phone while people crowded around him trying to escape. However, his metaphysical form was more angelic, akin to a humanoid being made wholly of energy that glowed a bright white. Cole quickly began a search that would take him to a mobile tower near Haven, in an attempt to get a route there where he knew his friends were closing up shop. He quickly found a young lady whose frantic 911 call was being routed through the tower nearby, and hopped onto the highway out, traveling the huge expanse of space in a heartbeat. Once at the tower, he scanned Haven for any outgoing mobile signatures and quickly identified that of his friends, thankfully the only two phones present, and prepared a quick message. It would show up as a text message, of course, but anyone familiar with Cole's data powers would recognise the signs; a private number, untraceable and uncallable, fully structured sentences, even a signature. With the message sent, he quickly backtracked to the beach and reentered his body.
The entry back into the meat world knocked him to the floor, panting and gasping for breath. The whole thing had lasted merely seconds, but it left him out of breath, as if he'd sprinted a full neighborhood in a matter of seconds. As he gulped down air, he hoped that his friends would see the message he'd sent and come to their aid.
"J-J-Jennifer? I j-just sent a message to my friends. They're metas too, they'll help us."
Marcus and Audrey
"Everything check out, Marcus?"
"Yep. Oh, boss, we got a bit of mozzarella in the fridge that's gonna expire though. Mind if I take it back? We already got extras."
"Hmm. I guess. You going to cook something?"
"Pizza, maybe."
"Hmph. Well go outside and lock up shop. We are done tonight."
"You got it boss."
Marcus strolled out of the cafe and grabbed a long pole with a hook on it for the outer metal shutters. The day had been a long one, especially without Cole around to help out. Thankfully it hadn't been too busy, and the two of them had been enough to keep the kitchen churning out food, the coffee machine dribbling out drinks and their customers satisfied. As he reached up and grabbed the edge of the shutter and pulled it down, he could hear Audrey inside, rummaging around the pantry and rearranging things that he knew he himself would rearrange the next day. They could never keep the place organised for either of them; Marcus was messy, and Audrey was neat and tidy. Those two things would never mesh together, like oil and water.
Suddenly he felt a buzz in his pocket around the same time he heard a faint and distant crack in the air. Like a gunshot. He pulled his phone out of his pocket as Audrey walked out of the kitchen, phone in hand.
"Did you hear that?"
"Yeah. Must've been just a car backfiring though. Nothing special."
She shrugged and strolled back in as Marcus checked his phone. A text message, oddly enough. From a private number.
He paled. Only one person sent him texts from a private number.
And only one person signed off his private texts with JCS.
Apparently Audrey knew the same too as she rushed back outside to join him.
Guys Trouble at the beach Metas involved Need help Girl that can turn sand into glass = friendly Girl that can control water = friendly Anyone with me = friendly Anyone else = not friendly Please hurry - JCS
"Shit! John's in trouble!"
"I'll close up shop, you go help Cole! Go! Podvin' eto, blyat! Idti!"
"Got it!"
Marcus ducked underneath the closing shutter and ran outside to where his bike was parked. He unlocked the chain, hopped on and pedaled as fast as his legs could carry him. The sounds of battle carried along the wind across the empty beachhead as he cycled. Hopefully he'd reach there quickly enough.
Several minutes later he caught sight of a raging battle along a stretch of beach near a waterfront house, along with the copious amounts of people running away from the scene, coupled with the lone police car already parked there. The beach area was fenced off, but he caught sight of the mentioned girls; one was turning the sand around her into glass constructs when she was blindsided by a wave of sand thrown by a man in a weird looking getup. Next to him was a woman in the same type of getup, not to mention one of her arms was on fire and the other was frozen. Those were the metas that were harassing his friend's friends, huh? The water girl soared in overhead and landed next to her friend, whipping a water-powered kick that sent the man sprawling onto the sand.
Still cycling towards them, he diverted his path from the concrete sidewalk to the sand. His tyres fought for purchase but he kept pedaling anyway, using his speed and momentum to bring him towards the fence that divided the outside world from the battle raging on the beach. With all the speed and strength that he could muster, he made an almighty bunny hop, leaping up into the air towards the fence as he let go of his bike and grabbed for it, vaulting over while his bike clattered against the metal fence.
Marcus landed heavily on the sand as he dashed towards the duo of dangerous metas, roaring as he called forth the power of his bones. With a burst of pain, shards of bone punched through his palm and into his hands, instantly breaking as he severed their growth and flung them at the pair. It probably wouldn't do much, but it'd distract the two of them from their real objective, whatever that was. The shards were sharp, pointy and very dangerous, and he gave the duo a wide berth as he dashed around them, flinging shards the whole way, until he reached the pair of good guys he knew were friendly. He skidded to a stop in the sand as long blades of bone extended from his forearms, above his hands, giving the two girls a glance and a grin as he stood in an almost predatory stance.
" 'Sup? Cole sent me. He said you guys needed help, 'n here I am." Meanwhile, back at Haven, Audrey finished locking up her cafe and hopped onto her scooter. As the dinky little thing purred into life she hoped and prayed that her two boys- no, employees were safe.
Alice closed her eyes, then opened them again somewhere else. Well not exactly. She was still in the same room, just six feet to the south and standing. Standing…
She looked down, curious which form her power had granted her this time. She was slowly learning how to control it, but even so she seemed to have little control over the forms that she could generate. This one was new, and her least favourite so far as her curious gaze revealed an immodest, scantily clad body, covered by only the barest pretence of armour, though she was grateful for the long ribbon that wrapped about this form. Deep purple, it criss-crossed her body and wrapped around and down each arm to end in two long, gleaming blades. Alabaster. Though she had been distracted by the blades for a moment, it didn’t last long, and she soon realised she was barely dressed. Alabaster blushed, even though there was no one to see her. She was far more scantily clad than she had ever been before and she briefly considered taking clothes from the closet before realising that they clearly wouldn’t fit her well over six foot form. This form was an almost identical replica of the hero in game, she really hoped she couldn’t get sued for copyright infringement over this.
She looked back to herself under the covers, apparently blissfully asleep, and totally unmoving save for the gentle rise and fall of her chest with each breath. It was strange, an out of body experience without death. She looked around the room a little more, it looked like any other girls room, barring the wheel chair and the mass of pill containers on the bedside table. She felt a sudden flash of anger at the weakness of the girl before her, and swept the pills onto the floor. There was a plastic clatter, and she felt herself flicker, her vision fading out and back in as her real body moved restlessly in bed.
Knowing staying here couldn’t be good Alabaster turned to the window and slid it soundlessly open, then, without looking back, flung herself silently out into the night…
---
She had simply run, she didn’t care where, simply glorying in the pure freedom that running felt like now. Though this was a huge difference to how she had been even before the wheelchair. This form certainly came with its advantages, she reasoned, as she leapt the fourteen foot gap between buildings, landing without even breaking stride and continuing to run. She wasn’t tired, not even slightly, and she had a co-ordination she couldn’t even dream of in her ungainly form, maybe it was something to do with this form being a construct of her mind, but it meant she could do everything that the character Alabaster could do and more.
She screeched to a sudden halt, in her wild flight across the rooftops she hadn’t realised exactly just how far she was going, and suddenly there were no more roofs, only a sheer drop off the edge of the edge. It was only a few stories, but still a lot farther than any human could drop and survive intact. Alabaster stepped off. She fell straight down, the air rushing past strangely muted through this forms senses, and then she flung out one arm, the blade carrying the ribbon forward and out to spin around the railing of the building. The falling, glowing figure suddenly jerked to the right and swung out from the building, nearing ground level at increasing speed, but not such an oblique angle. An apparently effortless flick of the wrist loosened the ribbon from its hold at the same time as the white skinned, beribboned figure hit the ground running…
Straight into a warzone, she had arrived at the beach and skidded across what was suddenly glass instead of sand. She stopped beside a girl she vaguely recognised and stared dumbly at the scene of chaos that had greeted her.
Okay, things went from one to a hundred in a second flat. Holy shit. Trevor was just about ready to run, but he wasn't the type to abandon his friends like that. Not like this. He reached into his pants leg and pulled out his knife - which had been strapped to his thigh underneath his pants - and looked at it. Then he clenched it tightly. He wasn't a warrior, damn it. He was just a loser and a weirdo. He couldn't possibly hope to fight them. All he could do....
Lucille rushed toward Trevor, limping with every step she took, her stomach burning in pain. She was almost free, running for her life, wishing that her brother was on her side. "Help me here!" She yelled at him as she tried to pull the collar with her hands.
Shit Lucy. He forgot, she was the center of all of this. If he couldn't help his friends fight, he sure as hell can help her. "Quick, come here." Trevor said as he grabbed onto her shoulder, and looked at the collar. Looking for an opening, and he found the crease where the collar connects. "Hold still... this will hurt if you don't." He breathed in, then out, as he raised his knife into the air, and slammed it down on her collar hard as he could. Thanks to his superb aim, he didn't miss and impale her in the neck. It nailed it right in the crack, and embedded itself inside. Trevor let out another sigh, relieved that he made it to step one. He started twisting the knife back and fourth, digging it's way inside. Until he used all his girly strength to twist the knife off to the side, and pop the collar right open.
"There. I got it off you." Trevor said, realizing how redundant saying that was, but shit was exciting. "I don't know what the hell you're going to do, but I'd stay out of it..." He stood there, frustrated that he was unable to do more to help.
Lucy instinctively hugged him, "Thanks!" She no longer felt useless and she could do something. Now she needed to focus, they were only two. Two, she repeated to herself; her adrenaline was receding, fear fading and the heart calming down. That was what she needed, to calm down and wait her powers to kick.
Suddenly she saw a wall of fire being projected towards Cindy. She felt her heart jumping, not in fear but in anger. She had to do something about it and she felt something for Cindy. Without much thought, she just ran toward the group, praying that she was strong, stronger than ever.
Cindy quickly pushed herself up to her feet, in pain because of the heat based attack, and getting hit with a pane of glass was no fun. But she was alright. At least that's what she tried to say to herself. She was up to her feet, and she looked around, everything was a little blurry. All she saw was fallen glass on the sand. Someone might cut themselves on this. Cindy thought to herself, somewhat dazed. She grabbed her head. Unaware of what's going on.
Meifeng's heart was rushing. She threw her hand forward, and a spurt of water was shot out like a cannon. It impacted the wave of sand that was flying at Meifeng, but only soaked the sand. Meifeng shook her head, and created an orb of water to stand on. Meifeng rode on top of the sand, and flung herself at him at high speeds. She quickly approached the man, pointing her hand at him - but the woman froze the water she was standing on.
"Aaaaaaah!" Meifeng shouted as she flew through the air. The man merely slid to the side, and Meifeng hit the sand hard. She got a few cuts from the glass, and sea shells. She pound her hand on the sand as the man made spinning pillars of sands that drove right at Meifeng.
She hopped onto her feet, and dove. Water was drawn out of her pocket dimension and she created a orb of water in between her hands. Inside the orb, water was frozen into diamond-shapes. The ice blocks flew right at the man at high speeds, constantly firing off like a machine gun. The man had to throw his hand up as one hit him square in the face, and left one hell of a bruise. More hit him in the chest (Which left many bruises) before he created a wall of sand to block it.
The woman turned towards Meifeng so the two can team up on her... but then she remembered how many combatants were in this fight. She turned back towards Cindy, who seemed to be far more dazed from the previous attack. She put her flaming hand out, and emitted a firestorm.
Lucy raced like in the old times, only this time she was not trying to score in baseball but rather save someone life. The fire was propelled towards Cindy violently as Lucy jumped tackling Cindy, like a professional football player. She managed to jump with Cindy away from the heat, enough to feel the heat passing through her legs and back as she jumped.
"You're okay?" Lucy uttered to Cindy who was over her. She fell upon some glass shards and she was feeling a tremendous discomfort in her back as she tried to move.
"Y-yeah.... Thanks." Cindy said.... though, the position was very awkward. In any other circumstance, people wouldn't know what to think. She quickly pushed herself off Lucille, saying "Oh, let me get off of you." She stood straight up, and raised her hands up into the air. Whatever glass wasn't under Lucille started floating in the air. Cindy quickly produced another shield of glass right in front of herself.
"Are you okay?" Cindy asked Lucille. Part of Cindy just wanted to hop onto the glass pane, and float off and forget about this fight - but she had a feeling that they would chase her.
The female REAPER pointed her hand at the duo, and shot a blue ice-beam at them, which froze anything in it's path. Cindy lifted the shield up into the air and the beam froze over the glass pane. The ice was bending the window until it shattered.
"Move!" Cindy said, grabbing onto Lucille's wrist and running out of the way as the woman fired more beams of ice.
Quickly looking over her shoulder, a triangle-shaped pane erupted out of the sand, and acted as a shield for the next wave of ice. Cindy turned more of the sand into glass, before it started floating up into the air. It started flying at the woman's back.
She let out a screech of pain as the glass hit her square in the back, dripping blood. However, the glass shards were pushed out of her back, and the wounds healed over. It just made her even more angry.
"Gonna need a plan here!" Cindy said.
"Distract her!" Lucy said running. A simple plan involving a bait.
"Well, okay." Cindy gathered all the glass around her - and felt bits and pieces of her body being turned into glass - which lazily floated. The woman decided to switch to fire, as she produced a fire storm. Cindy created a wide shield by merging all the glass together, then threw it at the woman. It impacted her with a loud bang, before the woman was thrown backwards. A distraction.
While the two were struggling Lucy went around unnoticed. She quickly approached the woman. She was focused, stronger. With a quick motion she punched her, putting all her telekinesis in the wrist. Payback time, bitch!
The female REAPER immediately reacted, her frozen hand produced a round shield enough to stop the blow. The shield shattered and pieces of ice shards flew everywhere. She quickly used the other hand to shoot Lucy with a ball of flames. Lucy tried to defend the sphere of fire with her forearm. The ball hit forearm and disappeared into smoke and simmer, leaving behind burnt clothes and a nasty burn on her forearm that extend to the elbow. Lucy cried out in pain, falling to her knees in the sand. Her strength long gone.
"Lucy!" Cindy shouted. She should have helped her! She was... It isn't too late. The woman was looming over Lucy as she got up. Cindy's hand covered itself in glass as a glass spear came right out of her palm, flying right at the woman - she took a step backwards, and it flew right over her.
Cindy ran up, and swiped her hand across, and created a series of glass spikes that impaled the woman. She let out a groan as blood dripped down - however, all she had to do was step back. This gave Cindy an opening to grab Lucille, and pull her away
"Shit!" Trevor ran up to the two, knowing exactly what he could do. "She's burnt, let me help!" He knelt down, and produced his drug, and grabbed onto her burnt forearm. Immediately, the pain she felt was reduced, slowly being replaced with pleasure and euphoria. The wound started healing as Trevor pumped her with his drug.
Meanwhile, Cindy was gathering as much of the glass as possible - it turned into a liquid-y state as she created a dome around them, putting her hand on it to pump it full of more glass to increase the density. Her hand had completely turned into glass. No good. She had to focus for a moment to revert her hand back into flesh and bone. She let out a sigh. She felt tired. Tired because of all the fighting she was doing.
Another blast of sand was fired at Meifeng, which she dodged by diving to the side. Her mouth was dry as hell, and she was just as thirsty. She couldn't give up just yet. She had to defeat this motherfucker. Meifeng threw a punch, and a blast of water followered and collided with the sand shield of the REAPER. Only thing on her mind was utterly overwhelming him. No other tactics needed. She threw two quick punches, and two more blasts of water came out of her pocket dimension.
She threw a roundhouse kick and... nothing came up. Shit! Meifeng thought to herself as her eyes shot open. She emptied her entire supply of water. The REAPER noted this too, and created a cascading wave of sand that Meifeng had no choice but to jump out of the way of. Her stomach was covered in sand.
Before the man could launch another attack, a bone shard flew through the air and impaled him in the neck. His eyes opened wide, and his body tensed up. He looked, and realized what had happened. He grabbed the shard, and tore it out of his neck. The wound quickly closed.
However, it gave Meifeng the perfect opportunity to reach the water, and she jumped with her hand extended. She funneled all the water she had into her hand, and it was absorbed into her pocket dimension. Refueling her stock with sea-water (It'll hurt like hell if it gets into his eyes!). She jumped up to her feet, and turned around and looked. Okay, looks like she got some help...
" 'Sup? Cole sent me. He said you guys needed help, 'n here I am."
"I don't need any help, buddo." Meifeng said, raising an eyebrow. "I got this, just stay out of my way!" A wave hit - which Meifeng had amplified and hopped onto, riding it right back into the fight. Ignoring the new person that entered the fight. This a fight or a beauty pageant? It was getting hard to tell.
The woman was hit with the bone shard too, it hit her right in the forearm and she had to screech. She looked at the man who threw it. She was distracted from Cindy and Lucille, and turned to him. She nodded at her fellow REAPER, before he went for the man. He swiped his hands, and sent a cascading wave of sand at him.
The woman turned to the dome of glass, and shot a barrage of fire at it.
Help? Help was good. Because Jen wondered what the hell she could do. Well, she could throw some rocks at them - but the others could hit harder than any rock she could throw. Jen only nodded her head, wordless as two people entered the fight. She didn't know the first guy, but the other woman was strange. She looked over at Cole, and said,
"... That your friend?" Jen asked Cole about the newcomer.
Lucille, Meifeng, Trevor, Jennifer, Cindy, Reed, Marcus, Alice vs. REAPER.
Reed and his senior partner quickly took cover behind the discarded pieces of furniture left behind by the party-goers and readied their weapons towards the two REAPER agents, quickly discerning that the others were fighting for their lives. Normally he'd have offered a warning but these people obviously weren't playing ball, and he had no intention of letting these kids get hurt, regardless of ability.
Leveling his sidearm with the female REAPER agent, he quickly squeezed off a round towards her central mass.
The bullet was the interruption that the group within the glass dome needed. The bullet hit her right in the stomach. red hot blood came out of her gut as she looked down - but saw that the bullet was being pushed out of her stomach. A wreath of fire burned her clothes as fire engulfed the wound while. It quickly healed itself shut without a mark. The woman reared her head, and gave Reed an angry glare.
She raised her hand in the air above Reed, and ice blocks began falling from above him. Falling at high speeds. Chunks of shattered ice soon scattered across the beach yet Reed had just enough time to throw himself out of harm's way.
As the wave of sand roared towards him, Marcus instinctively raised a hand up. The bone blade there immediately expanded in size, forming a huge shield that he braced himself behind. Sand crashed against it, making him stagger back a few steps as he drove the base of his shield into the sand and crouched behind it, bracing himself against the huge mass of bone. Eventually the wave subsided and he broke the bone shield off of his arm, forming another blade that extended with a wet schlick from his forearm. He shook sand from his hair and shoulder and growled.
"Oh, you did not."
Alabaster raised her eyebrow at the woman's imperiousness to gunfire, apparently unimpressed, but inside her head Alice was panicking. What had she walked into? It seemed that the two metahumans wielding sand and fire were, for want of a better phrase, the bad guys. That opinion, at least in her mind, was confirmed when she realised the girl she had vaguely recognised was in fact Jennifer.
"No, I'm Al-abaster."
Huh? Jennifer thought to herself for a moment. Wait, this chick looked to be a bit familar. She looked awfully lot like a videogame character - Yeah, Vorpal! Jen raised an eyebrow at the revelation. They're getting backup from a cosplayer? Okay... this has taken a turn for the weird. She didn't know.
She would have said something but she realised that there was in fact no real way to identify her in this form, her ability was almost perfect for concealing her identity in fact. Maybe Jen would realise, she was no idiot after all, and she knew Alice was a gamer. Still, Vorpal was popular, millions of people played it, it would only be through familiarity that Jen might think it was her. She still wasn't sure if she wanted to tell anyone about this, let alone someone who was already registered.
Her thought process was interrupted as she realised that the fight was still continuing, with or without her. The man with the gun was clearly now the target of the metahuman's ire, and blocks of ice were falling from the sky above him. She flicked her wrists, and the blades sprang forwards, seemingly with a life of their own, neatly dissecting the block directly above him into four, far less lethally sized pieces.
The female REAPER hissed in anger as the newcomer reduced her attacks to mere dust.
"Okay." Jen said to herself disecting the situation. They're dealing with two Metahumans with a high-regenerative factor (Possibly on par with her own). Every attack they launch against them will get healed. So, it's either a battle of attrition to see who gives up first, or....
"Guys, try to restrain them, or something!" Jen shouted, seemingly going ignored. There was something inside of her telling her to leave while she has the chance, but she couldn't abandon her friends. No matter what happened.
The pain was disappearing while Trevor held Lucille's forearm. "T-Thanks." Lucy watched her burn slowly be replaced by new tissue. She was unable to hold her bliss and face the situation as she should. She was happy and high like never before. "What we do now?" She asked him.
"I don't know." Trevor shrugged. "But, I think you should get out of the way - you're gonna be high for a bit."
The dome of green glass was somewhat difficult to see through. Cindy was looking, and saw that there were a few more people joining the fight. Which was good, because it gave them that opportunity to get Lucy out of the way. Cindy looked over her shoulder, "It's great you're okay, but can you even walk?" Cindy asked.
Trevor knelt down and grabbed Lucy up by the shoulder, trying to pull her back up "Dunno, can you?"
"Y-yeah." She replied. "No worries about my wobbly legs." She laughed alone.
"That's the spirit." Trevor said, with a wide grin on his face as she hoisted Lucy over his shoulder. Capable of easily supporting her weight.
"Alright," Cindy started off, the dome glass started floating - but didn't raise high enough to stop covering them. "Follow me..." She started walking, holding up the orb. High stream blasts of sand impacted the dome, and Cindy let out a groan as she had to try extra hard to prevent it from hitting her. The shield hit a car that was parked on the beach, and that gave Cindy an idea.
She sliced the dome in half, creating two round halfs. She threw the half that was touching the car above the REAPERs, and she shattered it through sheer force of will, creating a rain of glass above them. With the other half, she firmly embedded it into the sand to act as a shield. Cindy walked over to Trevor, and grabbed onto Lucille's other shoulder, and supported her under her weight.
Together, they managed to put Lucille up against the car.
"Hey guys, we're not running away, right?" Lucille said
"Well, lemme put it like this," Trevor said, his Texan accent very apparant. "I can't really fight, and you should be in la-la right now." Trevor looked at her, somewhat worried. "So, if you want to fight them while high and sedated, be my guest."
"Look." Cindy started off, looking at Lucille. She slid her glasses off, and wiped the sand off them with her tie. "You took one helluva hit right there, girl. You should sit down for a second... I don't know what Trevor's drug does - but he knows more about it than anyone else."
Lucy only nodded and sat on the ground.
Cindy nodded, and crouched down underneath the car, peeking out.
A camaro left behind by one of the wealthier party-goers served as adequate cover for Reed as he quickly searched for a spot to hunker down, whilst Gabe sprung from behind cover to open fire on the REAPER agents with his shotgun.
A sand storm wreathed the two, courtesy of the male REAPER. A circle of sand surrounded them, and obscured their movements. Bullets pierced through it, though Reed held fire to avoid harming the kids. Through the storm one could hear the sound of glass shattering whilst Gabe frantically loaded more shells.
Diamond shaped pieces of ice shot into the sandstorm wildly. Coming from Meifeng, standing on the beach, and drawing seawater into a orb, and shooting it at high speeds. It was a bit harder to freeze seawater, but she was fully capable of doing so long as she put in that extra effort. She didn't know if it was hitting them. With the guys attacking from one direction, and with her own from another, they're bound to be getting overwhelmed.
Out of the sandstorm rolled the camaro, pointed at the REAPERs; its handbrake had been released and the weight of the car was causing it to slip down the slope of the beach. Reed had ditched it, hoping to take advantage of the low visibility and throw them off for a volley of return fire.
The car did go down the slope of the beach, it continued to roll and roll. By the time it had pierced the layer of the sand, it was just about to collide with the woman. Who had turned around, focusing on Meifeng's attacks.
"Look out!" Her fellow REAPER shouted, putting out his hand.
She looked over her shoulder, and dove out the way, landing on the beach on her stomach. Leaving herself open. Gabe saw the opening and closed in, weapon at the ready, whilst Reed sought to hold off the other agent with another volley of gunfire. Meifeng took capital of the situation as well, drawing more seawater into her orb, and freezing more chunks. She began unleashing a storm of ice cubes. Hitting with force to leave bruises, her goal was to utterly overwhelm.
As the battle raged, Marcus saw an opening. The car that had been picked up (a really awesome 2015 Camaro) got lobbed at the two metas who were all evil and such, and charged forward. While the lady threw herself to the ground, he instead beelined straight for her male companion and ran past Gabe's advancing form. With a roar he charged straight at the man, leaping forward with his forearms extended in a very animalistic charge, blades aimed straight for his torso.
The combined might of the various Metahumans going up against them certainly left the REAPERs overwhelmed.
Ice slammed into the woman's body, leaving nasty purple bruises. However, she was given ample ammunition by the cyrokinetic. She drawn all the ice she could, and created a shield around herself, creating more ice. She had created a half dome.... but her hand started uncontrollably shaking as a pain filled her arm. She started at her hand in horror as it turned into ice. She let out an antagonized scream of pain as her fingers fell off. As solid chunks of ice.
"Hm." The Boss thought to herself out loud as she watched from the ledge. She put a hand on her chin, "... Gonna have to report that to Cross."
The male REAPER was focused on the barrage of bullets, he was gathering his sand together, throwing it as balls at Reed, and the others. He didn't notice Marcus charging him up until he was flying right at him. His eyes were wide open as he tried to hopelessly gather sand together. He grabbed onto the blades, and tried to pull them away from his vitals, but they penetrated his flesh, and he let out a hiss of pain as his back hit the ground.
He closed his eyes, writhing in pain as he tried to pull Marcus' blades out of him. That's when his eyes opened, and he stared Marcus right in the eye. A stream of sand shot out of the beach, and overwhelmed Marcus. Shooting him upwards into the air.
"Motherfu- "
Marcus tried to stay anchored, but the onrush of sand blew him away, breaking the bone blades off his forearms as he flew away and to the side, landing and tumbling into a heap on the sand some distance away. Disoriented and dazed.
Large tentacles of sand burst out of the beach, four large ones. They quickly poised to dive right into Marcus, and most likely bury him.
As the male REAPER agent poised to bury the bone merchant, the screen of tyres echoed out somewhere near the house. Moments later footsteps crunched down the beachhead and then, a whirl and an explosion of smoke filled the area.
The male REAPER would be engulfed in a cloud of gray, choking smoke that seemed to worm its way into his nostrils and mouth. He violently coughed and choked, as he tried his best to get the smoke out of his system. He had no choice but to release control of the sand. As Marcus watched, a figure materialized out of the smoke and threw a wide sucker punch at the agent's face. The punch knocked him down, his cheek was red - but quickly healed. The figure drew over the fallen man and kept punching, even as the smoke began to clear, revealing a muscled but female form.
Audrey's fists barreled down into the man's face, a move performed so many times against her own face her nose was always crooked because of it. She straddled his chest, her knees clamped down against the man's shoulders as she threw punch after punch into his face.
The REAPER threw his arm up, using his elbow as a shield against the woman's barrage of blows. Every blow she threw regenerated, but he still needed to get her off him. He shot a splurt of sand at Audrey, and threw up a cloud of sand. Using it as cover, he created as much distance between them as possible.
With a cough, she threw her hands up over her face as she got sand lobbed at her. With her eyes squeezed shut, her grip on the fallen man loosened, and he wriggled out of her grip even as a punch fell and landed in the sand instead. She stood up and dusted herself off, taking a nice long drag from the cigar clamped in her mouth.
While Marcus recovered, she walked over and slapped him on the back of the head, making him yelp in surprise.
"Ow! Wha- "
"Useless blyad. I told you to wait."
"Yeah but- "
"Shush. Fight now. I will have word with you and Cole later."
"Yes boss"
He took her offered hand and stood, bone shards bursting out of his knuckles as he rolled his shoulders and tensed his fists. Audrey stood beside him, smoke coils roiling and weaving around her body as her cigar glowed brightly in her mouth.
The REAPER created swirling tentacles of sand, and sent them out at Marcus and Audrey, as he rode in on a spinning pillar of sand.
Simultaneously, the two of them split up; Marcus shifted to the left and up and sprinted at the man, while Audrey sidestepped right and moved towards him as well, going slower but making a beeline straight for him. The sand tentacles hit their previous positions as they moved, and as the man barreled in straight towards him, Marcus reunited with his boss.
"Get me up there."
"Got it boss."
Marcus sprinted ahead of her and immediately stopped, his hands cupped as she ran straight at him, stepped on his hands and jumped at the same time he flung her up with all his might. The momentum of the throw sent her a ways up and she covered the remaining distance by bursting into smoke, flinging herself as high as he was and engulfing him in another cloud of choking smoke even as she regained her physical form and landed on the roiling pillar of solid sand. As the smoke wormed its way into his lungs again, she threw a punch straight at his rib cage, the center of his chest.
The man fell backwards, coughing violently. Things were going a little blurry for him. He created a sandstorm around himself, trying to get her to retreat (And damage her a bit in the process).
Meanwhile, down below, Marcus dove out of the way of the approaching pillar of sand and rolled back onto his feet, waiting for his next opportunity to strike.
Coughing herself, Audrey squinted but pressed the assault, braving the stinging pain of the sandstorm to attack him again. She moved in even closer, throwing a forearm into his throat even as she hopped forward slightly and wheeled around him, using her weight to pull him downward as her arms locked around his throat in a sleeper hold, her strong legs wrapped around his waist as she squeezed her arms around his neck.
The man started violently thrashing, trying to get her off him. She was tenacious, he'd give her that, but foolish to stand in a sand-storm like this. He has to go to desperate measures to get her off. He started pulling the sand off the beach, and started piling it on top of them. Burying the two in sand. He'd be able to get out, but would she? This was all a plan to force her to retreat.
She did indeed retreat, but she pulled her prey along with her. Arms still locked tightly around his neck, she began rolling sideways off the pillar, keeping her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him as they both fell off.
Down below, Marcus looked up and saw the two breaking free from the sandstorm, spinning in freefall as they fell off the twisting tower of sand. Then, in midair, he watched his boss burst into smoke and drift off to the side, leaving only the man in freefall, even as he sprinted towards his landing site. Sharp points of bone burst from his forearms and hands, turning them into really spiky and sharp limbs as he rushed towards the REAPER agent to catch him in his sharp, spiny embrace.
There was barely any time to even react. The REAPER fell upon the spikes, which immediately impaled him in many places. He let out groans of pain, as he tried his best to push himself off. After he did, he hit the sand hard. The wounds started regenerating... but he felt pain like no other. He pointed his hand at Marcus, but it started violently shaking. It started to turn into sand, which became no different from the sand on the beach. He started screaming, rolling around in the sand. He tried to control sand, but nothing happened. The serum he was given wore off. He kept rolling, screaming in sheer pain as he stared at the stump. All he felt was pain.
Marcus immediately released the man as soon as his arm turned into sand and fell away, recoiling in horror as he scrambled backwards.
"Woah! What the fuck?!"
Even as the man rolled around in sheer pain, Audrey dropped to the sand beside him, knelt down and delivered a swift punch to his face, dropping the agent out cold. She stood and took a puff from her cigar, shaking her head in disgust.
"Useless fucking blyad."
Good, they took one of the REAPERs down. Cindy was watching from the sidelines, peeking her head out to stare at the seen. He was dropped out cold, and Cindy figured that it was time for her to make some good. Cindy ran over to the scene, with her hands up, "I'm on your side, don't hit me!" Before she knelt down, and put the man's hands (Or arms) together. She started covering them in glass, creating a thick bind of multi-layered glass. It'll be hard to break in case he wakes up. She ran over to his legs, and covered them in glass, restraining his legs.
She looked up at them.
"... Hi."
Meifeng decided to take advantage of the disabled REAPER. The woman was in pain - which would make it easy for her to just go in and finish the job. She quickly threw her arms back, and sucked the water into her hands like a vortex. Meifeng put the orb on the ground, before she hopped on top of it. It started spinning as it carried her forward. However, she couldn't pull the trick off like she normally could. She was feeling quite dizzy. She was feeling really lightheaded. She grabbed her head, and before she knew it, she was landing shoulder-first in sand. The bubble of water splattered, and soaked the sand. She let out a groan, as she slammed her fist onto the sand. She was thirsty like a motherfucker. Meifeng knew that she couldn't give up.
One solid hit and the woman would be out.
Meifeng ran up, opting out of the water in favor of old fashioned legs, and gathered water out of her pocket dimension. Once she got up the shield of ice, she hosed it down with water. Both the woman, and the shield were soaked. Which meant that all Meifeng had to do was... Suddenly, the woman shot the ice outwards - one chunk collided with Meifeng's chest, and made her stumble a bit - the woman raised her hand into the air, and started shooting large orbs of fire. Which came back down in a firey rain. Specifically over Reed and Gabe.
"Move!" Reed quickly shouted, making a break for it and diving under a nearby trailer for shelter. Gabe followed suit, but was a little too sluggish and caught one in the back of the leg before he could make it under cover and let out an agonised "Fuck!" as he tried to beat out the flames. Rolling out from beneath the trailer, Reed quickly retaliated with another volley of fire on the woman, emptying half a magazine into her direction.
Meifeng, on reflex, put a thin layer of water above her. When the fire came down, it hit the water, and did no damage. Other than melting the water a little bit.
The regenerative factor granted by the serum returned, and the woman's fingers erupted in a firey wreath as her fingers quickly returned. She hissed as the bullets hit her again, ripping through her flesh and bone. The wounds quickly closed, before the woman created a circular shield of ice. Blocking the bullets.
However, Meifeng noticed that she had left herself open, and a wicked grin found it's way onto her face. She ran up to the woman, fist covered in water, and she leaped up into the air with her fist cocked. The water formed a brilliant spiral as she punched, and shot a strong splurt of water at her. The woman barely had time to react before she was sent flying down the beach.
The REAPER literally rolled down the beach, bruising her limbs. She stopped her movement by slamming her hand onto the ground, and freezing it on contact. She pointed her frozen hand at Meifeng, before letting off a volly of fireballs.
A soft breath escaped her lips as she swung her hands out in fluid motion, and the water followed. Extinguishing the flames before they even reached her. She kept this movement, until it became dance-like in fluidness and motion.
Alabaster finally snapped out of her reverie, so much had happened in such a short space of time, it was just like Vorpal, but so much harder to deal with when it was right there. She had watched as one of the attackers collapsed, his arm turning to sand and disintegrating before his eyes. The other was still very much a threat however, and Alabaster vaulted out of the way of a new volley of flaming projectiles, landing with an inhuman grace before leaping forwards.
Even the treacherous footing of the sandy beach couldn't slow her charge and she rolled beneath another fireball before springing into the air. She was awfully aware of her fragility Alabaster was fast, very fast, but she had serious doubts about just how much damage her projections could take. As if to prove her point a fireball seared past her abdomen, and she contorted to get away from the worst of the heat, before landing feet first on the woman's stomach. At least there was weight to the projection as the meta let out a gasp, the breath forced from her body by the impact. Alabaster thrust a blade into her shoulder and rolled to the side, leaping about her as the meta struggled to stand. Before long she was entirely cocooned in long purple ribbons.
The woman tried to produce as much fire as she could... but her hand exploded in a ball of fire, and there was nothing but a stump. She let out screams as she finally fell unconscious.
With the two REAPERs defeated, incapaciated by the Metahumans, and bound with Cindy's glass manipulation, the fight died down. The dust settled, and revealed the extent of the damage done to the beach. Misplaced sand, shattered glass and scattered ice litered the battlefield. There was blood, destruction, and pain all over the place. Reed had pulled Gabe out from under the trailer and left him at their car, making a call for a paramedic over the radio.
The group had gathered. Meifeng stood triumphantly over the woman, putting on foot on her shoulder. "Well, that was not how I expected this night would go." She shrugged, scratching the back of her neck as she examined the group. Sporting an awkward smile on her face. "... And I didn't expect that I had super friends."
Though, one of their friends was wearing a VPD vest. "Hey, you a cop?" She pointed at Reed, and asked him. Even though it was pretty obvious - but she had another plan. "You can, uh, clean all this up, right?" She asked again. "Because me and my friends here are going to get the hell outta here. So, please don't mention we were here or anything." She tried to feign confidence, or a carefree attitude.... but she knew that the second this reached Lihua, her ass would get beat.
Jen raised her eyebrow, and stared right at Meifeng. "... You know it'd take NEST like five minutes to connect us to this? Even if he doesn't mention us in his report?" She kept eye-contact with her friend.
"Pttf!" Meifeng tried to brush it off. "How many people saw us? They were running for their lives!"
"... What about all the evidence?" Jen made a note of all the glass, ice, and water that could easily be tracked back to them. She didn't know if there was DNA or anything within it, but she knew that anyone worth their salt could narrow it down.
"Know how many Metahumans can control glass? Or water?! It'd be like-" Meifeng said.
Reed glanced towards the debris strewn across the beach, then to them. "Look, I can't promise anything but I'll see what I can do. I need to make sure my colleague gets treated ASAP. If you're going, do it now. I made a call for backup not long ago. Just... make sure those two can't escape, I don't know how things would've gone if you hadn't been there. Thanks." He reaffirmed them with a knowing look of gratitude and offered out a hand to shake.
"Hehe... Your welcome. Just lending a hand to make sure nobody gets hurt." Meifeng said shaking Reed's hand firmly. Before she let go. Looks like he's one of the cool VPD coppers in this city. Though, right now, she was fairly concerned with getting out of here. "Well, you heard him." Meifeng said, turning around to face her friends. "Everyone coo'?" She asked.
Cindy and Trevor hoisted Lucille over to the group. Cindy brushed some sand from over her forehead. Well, shit was crazy. Parts of her body were still glass, but she was more focused on getting the hell out of there. She looked around for a moment, and caught the very end of the conversation with Reed. "Yeah... I think, girl." Cindy replied. "Thanks, sir." She forced a cordial tone. "That glass should hold them..." She wondered for a moment how the hell Meifeng expects to cover this up. Especially with the glass that has to come from Cindy.
"Dunno about Lucy, but I'm feeling like a million bucks!" Trevor said, a jovial smile on his face. He was just happy that he didn't get his ass kicked for once. Though, it was scary how REAPER attacked a party like this.
Well, whatever happens, happens. They better scatter before NEST and the VPD arrive.
"Alright, let's get-"
Before Meifeng could finish, she caught eye of a flash of blue light, obscured diamond dust and cold air. The Boss, a woman with blonde-hair, and blue eyes, appeared before the downed REAPER and raised her fingers into the air.
"Wait, Snowblind, no!" The man pleaded.
Not a word reached her, because she simply jammed her fingers forward and poked him in the forehead. Right between the eyes. He let out a horrific scream as he started shaking. His body converted into clear ice. Before she released, and he was nothing but a fine ice sculpture.
"Oh shit!" Cindy shouted, recoiling her hand. She started turning sand into glass to defend herself.
"Who the he- what the hell?!" Meifeng mouthed the words, pulling water out of her pocket dimension. Ready to attack.
Reed drew his sidearm yet again, anticipating another firefight.
Snowblind, as the REAPER called her, turned to the woman. She then turned transparent, a blue color, her body taking the appearance of a flim. She was surrounded by diamond dust and cold air as she floated forward. Leaving behind a frozen afterimage with each movement. Rushing right through the group - who had to move out of the way.
However, Meifeng didn't move an inch. She stood right in Snowblind's path, water ready. When she got close, Meifeng let out a loud roar as she spun around, and swung the water at her. It didn't have the effect she was hoping - the woman was apparantly frozen, while the rest of the water went right around her.
"Hehe... Got you there." Meifeng grinned wickedly.
Cindy gathered all the glass she had created, and pointed it at Snowblind, poised to attack. Reed aimed his weapon at her, searching for a vulnerability. "Hands behind your head, this won't end well for you!"
"... Annoying." Snowblind said, as her body turned into flesh. "You're protecting the very people that were just trying to kill you. That's a little odd, don't you think."
"Yeah! We already kicked their asses! That means you don't have to kill them." Meifeng answered.
Snowblind wasn't acting like she particularly cared about what Meifeng had to say. She merely started looking at her nails, and casually saying, "I do. They're just a loose end for the Hands now. They served their purpose well... and so have all of you." However, she was gathering the ice that was set up around the battlefield, and created a blade to stab the woman instead. She'd just need a second.
"Wait, you're with those Hands of Science fuckers?" Meifeng asked, pointing at her. "How the hell can you live with yourself doing all this shit to people?"
"Eh. Do you really think breaking a few lives will matter in the long run? After we reach our end goal, everyone benefits."
"... Your new age of super science." Jen murmured, shaking as she remembered that ghostly speech Heartbreaker gave her.
"You must have gotten that speech before." Snowblind smiled.
"Yeah, twenty-minutes before your freaks damn-near killed her!" Meifeng shouted, gathering more water out of her pocket-dimension.
"Oh, yeah, right. You're one of the kids that broke out and started this whole debacle." Snowblind started sarcastically clapping. "Congratulations. You truthfully are an annoyance."
"You're damn right!" Meifeng shouted again, clenching her fists, and grinded her sneaker in the sand. She was breathing in as she gave Snowblind the evil eye. "And I want to send a message to your mad scientist wannabe motherfuckers; every time you send one of your freaks of nature at me and my friends, I'll fucking rise to the challenge, and win. Every. Single. Time."
Snowblind raised her eyebrow. Unimpressed. Her blade was just about ready. "... And you're that confident in yourself that you're willing to challenge an organization far more powerful than yourself?"
"Yeah..." Meifeng growled at her. "... And I'm going to start by bringing you down!" She clenched her teeth, and jumped up into the air, enhanced by her hydrokinesis. She brought her hands back, open like she was holding a weapon. Before she swung it, and the weapons, like a baseball bat.
"Wait, Meifeng!" Jen said, throwing her hand up.
Cindy had literally no idea what was going on either. Something happened a few weeks ago, Jen and Meifeng had to be in the center of it. There's just no other explaination. Cindy pulled the glass back so that she didn't hit Meifeng - but shot a few shards at Snowblind that weren't in Meifeng's direct path.
"Crap!" Snowblind said underneath her breath- not because of the attack, but because she'd have to drop focus to dodge. She sighed, before she disappeared in a cloud of diamond dust. She appeared back on the ledge she was watching them from. She was about to attack, but....
"Screw it." Snowblind said. "She's nothing but a nobody within the Hands. No one will get anything off her anyway." She threw her hand up.
Snowblind disappeared again. This time, out of sight.
"... That chick's a real piece of work." Cindy rolled her eyes, dropping the glass - but she caught it in mid-air, and turned the glass the clear color they're known for. That should make it a little harder to track her back to this shitstorm.
"But her rack was great, though." Trevor said, laughing.
"... Um, yeah. W-we should really get out of here..." Jennifer noted the police sirens approaching.
"Oh shit! Time to go!" Meifeng shouted, before she broke off into a sprint. With her squad behind her, she didn't halt for a second. "See you all later!"
As the others trickled away, Reed anticipated the shitstorm of paperwork that'd be flooding his desk for the week.
"Well that's done with."
Having retreated away from the chaos of the beachhead, Marcus and Audrey were at the house, checking on Cole, who was fine apart from needing some rest. As the sirens approached the beach, the trio retreated back to their respective homes; Cole riding with Audrey on her scooter, and Marcus on his bike. They went their separate ways, thoughts still racing in their heads about all that had just happened.
Great, heavy steps pulverized the ground as the mysterious figure from a shadow-laced corridor. The muggy air was stiff, stifled only by the faintest breeze from the ventilation shaft. Automatic sliding doors opened for this figure, and revealed to them a central chamber, surrounded by interconnected desks forming a massive horseshoe shape around the center of the illuminated empty space in the room. The light reflected and gleamed off PR-1’s body, which was apparently covered in a layer of a form-fitting, unidentifiable metal, and his face possessed little to no features. It shone like platinum.
There were no leaders this day. Just he and the REAPER agent who had alerted him previously this day, along with a special guest: one of the Hands of Science’s rare and valuable transporter metas. There was, from what he could glean, no time to be wasted in reaching the surface.
“You’re here, great.” Said the REAPER. “I have to keep your briefing short. The Changelings are in a bind. As they are a valuable resource, providing not just us, but also yourresearch with the required materials, it is our utmost to concern to bail them out and allow them a chance to escape NEST.”
“If they do not receive immediate aid,” PR-1 repeated, his voice was metallic, and had the echo like that of bending metal, “then my research will not progress.”
“Correct.”
“That is all I needed to hear.” PR-1 replied, resigning himself to the REAPER’s orders.
“Your objective is to facilitate the Changelings’ escape. If your development is as predicted, NEST cannot kill you. In this event, allow NEST to capture you and take what information you can from them during interrogation. You may break yourself out when you believe nothing else can be gleaned from your capturers, and then, you must destroy NEST headquarters from the inside. In the process of which... dispose of any loose ends. Do you understand?"
“Affirmative.”
The REAPER gestured toward her side, to the man beside her. PR-1 made even strides toward the center, and took off his lab coat. Then it was clear that his whole body was covered – or made of this metal. Where his right arm should be was nothing, and ended at his shoulder. He placed his left hand on the teleporter’s shoulder, and the teleporter acted in kind. With only a few moments to spare, the pair flickered away, and with a gust of wind, they were gone.
Lihua Vuhong, Sonya Mayfield, Taylor, & The Agents of NEST vs. The Changeling Unit, and PR-1.
NEST had Heartbreaker, and the remaining Changelings completely surrounded. Sonya took up perch on one of the apartment buildings far away from the scene. Kneeling down, she looked down the scope of her Barrett 50. Cal. Her sights were aimed right at Fig. One shot, and she'll be dead.
Quentin kept his distance from Heartbreaker, ready to squeeze back on the trigger one last time if she tried anything. Part of him wanted to squeeze anyways, here and now, just to put the dead to rest knowing there was one less monster in the world.
Lihua and Leon arrived via flying boulder. Lihua putting her hands behind her back. She laughed a little. "Hello Natalie, I've been looking forward to meeting you...." Lihua playfully said.
"Fuck you, lady." Heartbreaker hissed, as her eyes were scanning the area. Christ. She probably won't be able to shoot her way out of this one. Yet, they weren't attacking, or pushing in, just yet. Which meant they were afraid of something.
A little something Heartbreaker could use to her advantage.
"Heartbreaker, drop all your weapons, and put your hands behind your back." Maximilian ordered. There was no way in hell that he was going to approach her, with her speed and reflexes, it'd be dangerous. Max could have Echo restrain her. "Rest of you, get down on the ground, and if you so much as fidget, the Agents will-."
Out of nowhere, two people had arrived. Their arrival was heralded by a flash of light. When it disappeared, there was a metal man. Just standing there right next to Heartbreaker. Silent. Only Leon noticed the REAPER that teleported him in.
"Um, Maxie..." Leon worryingly said into the comms. "Thiiiink we might have a problem...."
"The hell is that?" Lihua said outloud, as she preemptively pulled concrete rocks from the street, which began floating with her. This... thing was a statue. Just standing there.
"Hm?" Sonya thought to herself as her sniper sights rested on the metal man. "Looks like he wanked a little too hard.... Bastard lost his arm."
Quentin briefly relaxed his trigger finger and twisted to examin the newcomer, eyebrow arched as he murmured "Not again.."
Maximilian was unphased, he kept his arms crossed, and stared down the newcomer. He had Echo ready in case things got a little hairy. Worse come to worse, Echo can pummel this metal man into the ground. "You! Identify yourself!" Maximilian shouted as more NEST Agents leveled their guns at the intruder.
"I repeat! Stand down and identify yourself!" Maximilian shouted again.
"Oooooh boy...." There was a pit in Leon's stomach that was telling him that something was very wrong here. Something about this didn't seem right. So, Leon did the first thing that came to mind, and used his power to look into him.
Ignoring the agent's demands, PR-1 stretched his arm out, and with this mere motion, a pulse of electricity emanated from his body. Not one necessarily detectable with ease, but the ground and the very air itself was buzzing with the field he had just developed upon a whim. In his mind's eye, the entire field burst into life. As expected, he was dropped into the center of an army of agents and right next to him was none other than one of the Changelings he was to protect. There were a few airborne agents upon a floating platform of what he supposed to be stone. If that one was a terrakinetic, then they would especially be difficult to deal with. In that case, he'll bide his time for their initial retaliation, and then, for the woman... the best way to defeat a foe is to put down the allies beside them.
Without looking at Heartbreaker, the absurd sound of his voice said only this: "Retreat."
Lihua kept her eyes on him. She was unnerved by this aberration - if it's what Leon says it is... This might not be pretty. She felt something in air, she wasn't sure if it was just a figment of her imagination, or something else.
"Move, and we'll open fire!" Maximilian demanded. "Surrender now!"
"Well, you don't have to tell me twice!" She ignored Max, and spoke to this... thing. Heartbreaker didn't know what the fuck this thing is, where he came from, what he wants, or what's even going on. She knows that it's time to fold. She quickly started running, followed by the Mannequin, Witch Mother, and Fig.
Quentin lined up a shot with her, but she broke with his line of sight before he could fire, causing him to spout a few profanities before he was cut off. "Agents, open fire! Focus on the new target, then we'll handle Heartbreaker!" Maximilian warned them, and he had no choice.
"... Man, I don't think that's a good idea." Leon groaned to Lihua right as Max was talking. "We might just end up pissing it off..."
The Agents opened fire with their assault rifles, while Lihua, Sonya, Max, Quentin and Leon watched on. All sound was replaced by gunfire as a particularly vicious onslaught of assault rife rounds fell upon the Hands of Science's weapon. The steel jackets coating the bullets were immediately detected within PR-1's field, and he flexed his will to manipulate the electric currents running through it. Every bullet that zipped by was slowed down dramatically to a halt, mere feet away from his person, and harmlessly hovered still in the air. He kept this up for as long as the hail of bullets continued, apparently catching every single one effortlessly.
"Oh shit...." Leon said.
Lihua arched her head back out of sheer surprise. He... must have some form of metal manipulation, or electromagnetic ability. The only possible explaination. Only problem was what he's going to do with all those bullets next. It came as first instinct, but Lihua gathered all the concrete she was manipulating and formed a shield right in front of herself. The rock she was floating upon slowly moved backwards.
"Holy hell! Are you... are you seeing this!?" Sonya shouted through the comms. She refrained from shooting just to see what'll happen - but now it's clear that they're going to need something a little stronger.
"Agents...." Maximilian ordered Echo to put his arms out far as possible, Helena got extra close. "... Find cover! Right now!." The Agents immediately scrambled to find some cover, using the few precious seconds they had.
Quentin stared, open-mouthed, before finally realising what the fuck was about to happen and making a dash for a nearby NEST cruiser, yanking another nearby agent into cover beside him.
That instant, every bullet surrounding the Hands of Science's superweapon were rotated around, and with a motion of his arm moving outward from his body, repelled every last one of them in a blink of an eye at the same speed they were shot at him with. A cascade of bullets shot out from him in every direction.
Agents found it hard avoiding the barrage. Few found cover, the rest were hit. Fortunately, NEST armor provided a bit of a resistance. A cacophony of screams erupted from the Agents that didn't make it.
Lihua loudly hissed as the bullets impacted the concrete. Several pieces were chipped off, but they didn't penetrate it. Not that this was particularly surprising. They're going to need to come up with a way to defeat this thing. All while the Changeling Unit gets further and further away. Looks like they'll have to work fast. Lihua looked over her shoulder at Leon, and nodded her head. She quickly floated onto the nearby roof, and dropped the rock onto it. Both of them hopped off.
"Jesus christ." Leon said, grabbing onto his head. Blood was dripping down his nose. That thing's head... Jesus christ, it thought fast. Fast as lightning. Too fast for Leon to comprehend. "Hope you got a plan for that thing."
"Yes, find a weakness, then destroy it." Lihua hissed to herself.
Dozens of 5.56 rounds slammed against the cruiser just inches from where Quentin had taken cover, yet it held up just enough despite the shattered glass raining down from above.
Max's eyes had widened as Agents dropped around him. The look of shock disappeared once he realized that this was all apart of the job. He shook his head. Echo absorbed the bullets that came flying at him with little to no damage to it. Max narrowed his eyes. Echo was a good shield. However, he figured that they needed to get away from this metal man, and into some cover, before Echo could barrage him with fists.
"I need a diversion!" Max's finger hit the comm.
"Can't really help ya', Maxie." Sonya said, watching the scene through the scope of her rifle. "I'm a bit worried that he might use my rounds against us! Distract him for a second, and I might be able to take a shot!"
Coming right up... Lihua thought to herself. She had the perfect plan. She raised her hand in the air, and the chunk of street she was riding floated up into the air. Lihua looked over her shoulder, and asked, "Leon, where is it?" She asked, because the last thing she wanted to do was poke her head out and lose it.
"He's still... standing there." Leon pointed downward, right where he was standing.
The noise, the voices, they all caused vibrations in the air, vibrations that interacted with the electrical current at different intervals - and PR-1 could hear every last thing they said. Between the screams, the muttering, the panic, the confusion - and plans in the making. They sought a weakness. This was certainly something that should not be found out at any cost, but even after extensive testing back at base, there were far and few in-between. So he had to keep them on their toes. Give them no time to think.
Perhaps, to add to the already swirling storm of chaos, he could add to it. They were comfortable with the idea of taking him out without a second thought and without mercy. This was, of course, because they thought he was nobody. On the contrary...
"Destroy it?" His peculiar voice called out to Lihua in a high pitch. "You hurt my feelings. As another meta-human, I'd expect you to understand... I am very much alive - I am human."
He didn't leave much time for them to linger on that thought - he had no intentions of fighting the likes of the terrakinetic just yet, or the man with the peculair shadow - the electricity ran right through it, but its makeup still interacted with the current. Instead, he act quickly, and slaughter every lower-ranking agent available. Demoralize their armies, break their ranks, and a leader is no leader without their forces. He moved deceptively quick as he launched himself through the air and penetrating the crowd of agents, he paused in the air very briefly, before launching a kick against an agent's neck that instantly shattered their vertebrae. Coming back around and recovering, his limbs and body became a flurry amongst the crowd - registering every movement as quickly as electricity could move and process information. Blocking punches, sweeping legs, and choke holds; with just his two legs and single arm.
"No!" Maximilian shouted as he shoved Helena aside. "Get to cover!" He shouted at her, and Helena quickly flashstepped behind cover. Maximilian was using Echo as a shield, but he has no choice now. Echo quickly flew forward at the metal mind, and unleashed a flurry of punches that went blindingly fast. No human could keep up with the speed, nor could they withstand the sheer force.
PR-1 was somewhat alarmed at the speed of their leader's shadow, and acted accordingly. He kneeled and spun around, grabbing the upper arm of one of NEST's agents and twisting it, making a sickening crack as the limb was dislocated, and was slung around the metal man like a ragdoll between it and Echo's onslaught.
Echo immediately paused the moment that Maximilian realized what was going on. Damn it! Max thought to himself. Thoughts were running through his head as to what to do next - he knew he only had a second.
Lihua was peaking over the roof at the scene. She ignored what it said - because it was an aberration, nothing more, nothing less - and focused on a way of creating an opening for Maximilian. She quickly swiped her hand to the right, and swiped the sidewalk it was standing on from under it's feet. Lihua let out a sigh. The Agent might get hurt, but it was the price Lihua was willing to pay to give Max an opening.
PR-1 focused on the electrical charge he had stored in Heartbreaker's weaponry - she was fleeing quickly, as he would expect from a scout. It wouldn't be long before she finally went out of their tracking range. There was very little warning of the terrakinetic's activity aside from the slight tremble of the ground beneath him - if she could work so suddenly, then certainly, she was skilled in the use of her power. Only more reason to deal with her last and continue to demoralize them.
That said, there wasn't enough time to immediately react, but his reflexes were sharp enough that he could recover from her tricks before he could hit the ground. This did mean, though, that the agent he was carrying underwent significant harm. Any nerve, muscle or tendon that connected the agent's arm to their shoulder was now totally torn, with only their skin keeping it together.
Maximilian closed his eyes, letting out a sigh. Before Echo quickly delievered a carefully placed, and powerful, punch to the metal man.
PR-1 sensed Echo, but having just recovered, there was no time to avoid it. He took cover behind his arm and stood his ground as his feet became magnetised to the floor. He took the punch, and he could feel its impact reverberating throughout his entire metal body. Even with some of the strongest forces of attraction he could muster using only his electric field as a medium, he still slid back a good six or seven feet, his feet grinding against the floor as Echo's power sought to overwhelm HoS' weapon. As the massive dust cloud dissipated, it was clear that an unstoppable force had met with an immovable object
'That woman earlier. No second thought to sacrificing her agent. She'd make a... fine REAPER. Despicable.'
Hmmm.... Lihua wondered for a moment what she could do from up here. She didn't want to get down there herself... but her power works better up close. She had to decide what do do next. She had a feeling that Max would try to plummel it. He probably hasn't noticed it yet, but this thing must have enhanced senses, or telepathy. But, her little attack proved that it can be overwhelmed.
"All Agents, fall back!" Max shouted, he wanted the battlefield for himself, and this... weapon. The Agents started clearing the area. Echo was ready to follow up on that last attack, but Max was holding back.
Meanwhile, on the roof Sonya was on, her finger was to her comm piece, and she was contacting HQ. "... Yeah! We're going to need backup! We have a high-level Metahuman! Can trade blows with Maxi, and repel a barrage of bullets. Send in the foamer trucks, copters, anything!" She ordered them. "Several injured, many dead! Send medics!"
Sonya quickly turned to the local channel, and spoke, "All Agents....." She paused for a moment, wondering what she should order them to do. "Buy some time, hold your ground long as you can, help is on the way." Sonya kept looking down the sights of her Barrett, waiting for the perfect moment to take her shot. The moment other Agents are out of the way, and this thing is distracted, she'll take the shot that'll take this thing out.
... Hopefully.
Lihua, Maximilian, Leon, and Helena nodded in unison.
Hold it off you say.... Lihua thought to herself.
As per the order to hold ground and buy as much time as possible, agents had gathered as much supplies as they could in such a short period of time and built a small bunker of debris, and mounted a machine gun behind it, hoping that heavy fire from large caliber bullets would be enough to at least dent PR-1 or keep it preoccupied as Maximilian dealt with him. He was assailed by barrage of heavy gunfire, and sparks flew as they nicked his body. His senses were filled with intense buzzing and vibrations as each caliber made contact - the terrakinetic could wait, but the one with this shadow was strong and aggressive. An annoyance like him would be difficult avoiding, so it just meant he had to execute him quickly.
"Wait, don't fire!" Lihua loudly shouted, ignoring the ear piece for a more direct way. "Didn't you realize what happened the last time?!" The Agents didn't even listen to her (Or they didn't hear her). "Idiots!"
The machine gun fed PR-1 with a stream of bullets that he suspended in the air, though with a little more lag than it did with the smaller bullets from their firearms. He spun them around himself to help them gain momentum as he analyzed every detail he had observed during this fight, while keeping in mind the enemies that surrounded him. The shadow was fast and strong. He doubted that firing directly at Maximilian would work if the shadow could block them.
He pointed at Max, and a couple of them flew straight at Max anyways. A second or two of lag between waves, however, and the other bullets shot across and curved back to fire at Max from behind in order to deceive him. Large caliber bullets were fired at the agent from all directions surrounding him.
"Max, you're gonna want to duck!" Leon hopelessly said into the comms as he realized this thing's plan ahead of time. Leon decided to stop sitting on the sidelines and grab the sniper rifle hanging off his back. He knelt down on the edge of the rooftop, and aimed his sniper rifle at PR-1. He knew that this wouldn't work, but he was going to try something.
Maximilian quickly reacted to PR1's plan, and dove onto the ground, he retracted Echo, and put his shadow right onto his back, trying his best to cover himself. He prayed that this would work, or some angel would come from the sky, and save him. Or God would stop rooting for this creature and send down a holy strike of lightning. Fortunately, the bullets whirled over him - a few hit Echo, and left massive cracks in it's golden figure.
Not every shot was a miss, however.... Max felt one hell of an impact hit him in the side. He immediately let out a cry of pain as he realized what had happened. Blood was dripping down from him, and it quickly pooled. Echo was fading away slowly, just as Max was.
"Max!" Leon shouted, before he grabbed onto his forehead as a sudden headache overcame him as he tried to peek into PR1's head again. Blood was dripping down his nose, and it was sign that it was time for him to take a break.
"Maximilian!" Helena said from behind cover. Shit, this is not good. Helena immediately flash-stepped over to Max, and knelt down, and tried to put the larger man over her shoulder. She didn't announce it because she was hoping that the other Agents would cover her.
Lihua let out a sigh. Everything was going to hell... Yet, it reminded her of how she spent most of her adult years. Lihua closed her eyes, and let out a sigh. Yes... Fighting in increasingly brutal battles against Metahumans. For China. Lihua took a step off the building, and rocks came off from the side, and she stepped on them. It was a feat of balance, but the rocks hoisted her down. It was ironic. Back in China, she was the one people were fighting desperate, but hopeless, battles against.
A part of her had a feeling that she wouldn't come out of this alive.
Lihua stepped off the rocks, and raised her fist high up into the air. She hoped that she would walk away from this and see Lijuan and Meifeng again.
Her fist hit the ground with such a monumental impact that it sent shockwaves through the Ghost Town. A massive concrete pillar came out of the ground, flying at PR-1 - but Lihua knew of his speed, this was just something to follow up on. The street she was standing on immediately snapped off and she started flying in the air towards it. As she moved, she pulled pieces of the street off that whirled around her to act as a shield.
Helena nodded her head as she hoisted Max over her shoulder. She flashstepped out of there with both of them. God help their souls.
PR-1 watched as the terrakinetic finally make her move and came down from her perch. With a large amount of her forces lay dead on the field, her co-leader incapacitated, she was alone. As much as he wanted to test his capabilities and finish this one off as well to remove a great deal of NEST's threat, there was still the part of the plan where he must be captured. There was an issue that needed taking care of. That said...
There was nothing against the orders about crippling this woman. That, too, would remove a good deal of NEST's firepower. Terrakinetics were threats at almost all ranges. He likely possessed the capability of removing her as he is now, but there was also the matter of winning future wars. To do that, you take their queen with one decisive blow.
The meta-superweapon pulled himself out of the way of the flying pillar and closer towards the NEST bulwark. However, Lihua quickly raised her hands into the air, and flipped the sidewalk upwards to create a wall. This would at least give the Agents some breathing room. Most importantly, this was the fight between herself, and it. The agents taking cover there scrambled to find a safer location, though despite the wall, PR-1 appeared particularly determined to break through. He felt the large conductive structure behind it. He pulled back his arm and concentrated much of the electromagnetic field between his hand and the metal behind the wall, and with one punch, he shattered a hole clean through the concrete wall, even digging into the bullet-proof metal of a NEST truck's hood, before using a similar strength to rip the hood off its hinges. His arm broke through the aged concrete, and faced Lihua with a truck's hood in his hand, and slinged it at her as though it were a frisbee.
This was trivial, Lihua gathered all her concrete together to form a shield - that was a backup plan if she couldn't move out the way in time. She slung the block of concrete she was standing on off to the side, and the hood of the car barely grazed her shield, chipping off some dust.... However, she felt that was just a distraction. Meanwhile, PR-1's arm reached into the front of the NEST truck and ripped out its battery. Pulling his arm back up, he raised it in the air as though he were appraising jewelry. Soon enough though, visible arcs of electricity danced around his hand and down his arm, before it finally died and became little more than an empty husk. He threw it aside, with no apparent change to his condition. He stood there briefly, facing Lihua but without a word or action, as though he sought to taunt her. He walked back a few paces, before ducking under the hole in the wall he had made and reaching the other side.
It was a distraction. Lihua could helplessly watch as this aberration charged up even further. He was already powerful... but what can it do now that it charged? It quickly ducked behind the wall, and Lihua didn't feel any real need to pursue it. She had another idea. The concrete she was standing on lowered, and she created a tent of concrete to cover herself. She was standing in darkness.... her finger pressed onto her ear piece, and then she asked,
"Leon, where is it?"
At this point Leon had recovered. He decided that, for the best, he'll refrain from looking into it's head. His eyes started glowing brightly, as he looked through the wall. PR-1 was walking away from the group, which confused him. "Um... He's heading away... Wait...." Leon did a bit of forward scouting, and saw that he was heading towards more trucks. "Shit, looks like he's going for another charge."
"Damn it." Lihua said into the comms, she dropped the concrete tent, before the rock flew skyward, hoping to intercept it.
Sonya was also looking through her scopes at PR-1. Sonya had an idea... it was stupid, and it might get her spotted, but anything to give Lihua an edge. Sonya hopped from one roof to another, before she spoke into comms, "Am I getting closer to the trucks?" She asked.
It only took a moment for Leon to find Agent Mayfield, she was hopping roof to roof like a frog. Approaching the trucks. "A little... keep heading there- wait, what are you planning?"
"A silly little idea I have." Sonya said as she landed on another roof.
PR-1 marched forward, unrelenting. He knew he could probably take down the rest of the agents with a boost from only one battery, but there was something enchanting about the experience. He didn't just want to succeed in this mission. There was an addiction to satisfy. The euphoric sense of full and total control over his body. He reached the next truck and effortlessly ripped the hood of it off as well. There it was - he could feel the charge. It was definitely enough. Enough for ten minutes. It was plenty of time to satisfy him for the time being. He yanked the battery out of the truck and held it in his hand, beginning to sap away its remaining electricity.
Lihua just came into view of PR-1. Shit Lihua thought to herself. She acted fast, and raised her fist into the air in a swinging motion, like an uppercut. A chunk of concrete violently shot out of the ground at him. It was simply to interrupt him.
It wasn't long until Sonya made it there, too. She hopped onto the roof, but quickly ran to edge of the building with her Barrett ready to fire. She put the kickstands down, and began aiming. Sonya let out a sigh as she lined up the shot with the battery. Except, she needed to wait, Agent Vuhong was launching an attack of her own. Sniping is all about patience, waiting for the right moment. And Sonya felt it in her gut... this wasn't the right moment.
Concentrating on absorbing its charge left PR-1 vulnerable to retaliation, so when Lihua came around and suddenly sprung her attack, he could only help but reflexively attempt to block the attack - with success, however, the edge of the concrete chunk had struck the battery in his hand, forcing it airborne.
The battery was forced airborn - but that was no problem for an expert like Sonya. She just had to time it right, predict where it'll go. She lined it up with where the battery would fall, and when it did, it pretty lined itself up. Sonya took this moment, and fired a shot at the battery, right from a Barrett 50. cal (Nothing will be in one piece after a blast from this). There was the raging boom that filled her ears as the bullet came flying at supersonic speeds. The bullet went right through the battery, nearly blowing it in half. That removed one threat from the mix. Sonya smiled for a moment.
PR-1 wasn't a quick tempered man. No, he was very steady and deliberate in all of his endeavors, with very few exceptions. In this case, he felt increasingly annoyed by the terrakinetic and her support, as though someone were dangling a steak in front of a hungry tiger but refused to give it to them. He expanded the electro-magnetic field across a wider distance and paced towards Lihua. He picked up things he had not noticed before.
"Merciless." PR-1 said in his uneven pitched voice. "Efficient. Clever and strong. You remove yourself from the battle to gain the upper hand even if it means your comrades dying. Even if it means to dehumanize your enemy. You would make for... an admired REAPER among the Hands of Science."
Lihua had to laugh for a moment - yet, her eyes didn't come off him for a second. She was ready for an attack. Was she truthfully better than REAPER? No, she knew that. What she had done here was unforgiveable, and she knew it. Except, she would never lower herself to torturing children... Lihua looked down at the creature.
He paused for a moment.
"Let's see how you do without your long-ranged support."
He turned around and pointed a finger gun at the rooftops where Sonya hid herself. A bolt of electricity immediately shot from his hand and arced through the air like lightning. The amperage wasn't a lethal dose, but could easily incapacitate a grown man struck by it. He sought to preserve his charge. Ever since he expanded his field, he took great care of keeping track of her location. Without her allies, the terrakinetic will be harmless to him.
"Mayfield!" Lihua shouted, looking over at Sonya. She hoped that the sniper was alright.
Pained screams was all Sonya could muster as she violently convulsed, dropping her sniper rifle. Electricity ravaged her system - which was conducted easier due to the layer of wet slime she has around her. The electricity exited through her foot. She hit the back of the roof, unconscious, but not dead.
"Hmph." Lihua was certain that Sonya was dead. Oh well, just another casuality in the war against the Hands of Science. Looks like it's her, and this aberration. The way it should have been from the start. No interruptions, no allies, just the two of them.
"Aberration...." Lihua started off. "You speak as if I care about what a lowly abomination like yourself has to say..."
"We are meta-humans, you and I, we are the same. A real pity that even within this community that the racism remains. Because I am unfortunate enough to be given this form? I am not so different from the animal types that I believe your friend was just now."
"The difference between us is that I choose." Lihua was quick to retort. "I choose to fight and live for myself, while you...." she pointed at him, "You're just nothing more than a gun for your masters to point at their enemies. Only to be discarded once they reach their end goal."
"There are many evil-doers in history." PR-1 said in disagreement. "Mao Zedong, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin - the evil is subjective, but regardless of that, they in fact remained human despite what they were called. The greatest human error is to believe that no person is capable of committing atrocities. That is how we give rise to new dictators."
"You are very correct." Lihua shrugged with a smile on her face. "I am a human capable of doing terrible things just to achieve victory... Even if it means disconnecting myself from my own humanity. Doesn't matter. I'm not the hero. Nor will I ever try to be... but enough of that... we have a fight to the death, don't we?"
Electricity began to build up around the stump of his right shoulder as he concentrated all of the electricity he had available at his disposal into one condensed current. It took the shape of an arm, perfectly proportionate to PR-1's build. Even to the untrained eye, one look at it was enough to realize that one touch from it would be enough to stop the heart of anything that lived - if it didn't explode, first.
"Your interference has cost me valuable time. Regardless, sixty seconds with this arm is enough to be rid myself of you. I have important research that I must continue. You're a hundred years too early to think you can get in my way."
"Oh? The research I'm going to destroy?" Lihua looked at her nails, seemingly bored. Just to taunt him. "... I just wish you'd be alive to see me do it."
As the last word left Lihua's lips, there was no hesitation in PR-1's body, no force that could have kept him from shooting himself across the field like a bullet with his electric arm reached out and poised to strike through Lihua's chest and her heart.
This is it. Lihua knew that she couldn't hold back even for a second. She had to give it all that she had. She barely had a second to react - she hopped up into the air, and sent the block of concrete she was riding on right at PR-1, ready to collide. She was descending, and pulled some more pieces of concrete from the walls around her to ride on. She landed on it - but she was done with the aerial combat. After the chunk hit the ground, Lihua stepped off of it, and readied herself for the next attack.
At this point, she basically forgot all possibility that NEST would be here on time. She silently came to terms with the fact that she could die in this batlle. Lihua let out a sigh. Well, it'd be for the best. Meifeng and Lijuan can move on with their lives without inheriting her sins.
She raised her foot into the air, and slammed it back down. Two large blocks of concrete sandwiched her.
The superweapon of the Hands of Science leapt from the ground and shot through the space between the boulders, grappling onto Lihua with his solid hand and carried her with him - both boulders fell to the floor at their controller was helpless to fight back. The two slammed onto the ground with PR-1 straddling the agent with his solid hand gripped firmly around her throat and his electric hand poised to finish her.
"You would be damning our future!" His metal voice warped and shrieked.
"HAHAHAHA! I'd rather die than live in a future forged by you bastards!" Lihua screamed, laughing. Showing an uncharistic amount of emotion while she laughed maniacially. Because, it was truthfully relief. Her story is finally over.
She can finally stop.
Before he could finally deal the final blow, foam sprayed onto the pair from the sky. From a helicopter, a gun attached to a hose was pouring it onto both and almost instantly, he felt his body become restrained by the strength of the material. Now rendered immobile, he felt the electricity in his arm dissipate. Now, he could only wait for the second part of his patrons' plan. Still, unfortunate he couldn't kill this woman - given all that she has threatened. All he could do now was issue his warning before he was overtaken by the enveloping foam and rendered unconscious: "You know so little of what you have threatened or of the depth of the circumstances that surround your precious city and its enemies. Be careful, agent... you are not so dissimilar to the REAPERs as you might think..."
Exhaustion was creeping in as Lihua was released from his grasp. It was the adrenaline keeping her on her feet... and now, she could barely stand up. Well, this isn't the ending she was expecting, but... maybe she shouldn't be so quick to throw her life away (At the same time, she was more prepared). While she was panting, she looked up at PR-1... as he issued his grave warning to her. She stood straight up and listened. It was definitely forboding, and she knew that there was a cloud of evil swirling above this city.
"... Think I had enough of you for one night." Lihua simply said. There was nothing for her to really say. She knew that there was a great enemy within the Hands of Science....
However, they made an even more ferocious opponent out of her the moment they fucked with her daughters. And for that, she vowed to destroy them.
It was only because of sheer force of will that Lihua managed to stay on her feet.
She was stumbling forward, only listening to the chatter of Agents, and the roar of vehicles to act as direction. It wasn't before long that she arrived at the very scene where this... Metallic Aberration launched an all-out assault against NEST. She stepped through the hole PR-1 had created, and saw many, many NEST trucks, and ambulances. Agents were being hauled by stretchers left and right - at the corner of Lihua's eye, she noticed that Agent Mayfield was being hauled via a stretcher - and what separated the alive from the dead was the cloth carefully placed over them (I was close to being one of them).
She simply pushed her way through the frantic fury of the NEST EMTs and sat down on the pillar that she created. Letting out pant after pant. Thinking about what happened here.
"Agent Vuhong," A man stood over her, and Lihua looked up and saw that it was Leon. With his arms crossed, and his sniper rifle around his back, he asked, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Lihua quickly answered, letting out another puff of air as she contemplated what had happened here. How she planned on justifying everything that had occurred. However, she. "Tell me, what happened to the Changeling stragglers?"
"What?" Leon said to her, utterly astonished. "Max was almost killed, Sonya got shocked so hard I swore her heart was gonna explode, two squads are dead, and you were two seconds away from being dead. Are you really worrying about them right now?"
Lihua didn't say a word.
"Oh my God... you really are a piece of work, you know that?" Leon said to her.
"Mr. Vahan...." Lihua groaned, finally speaking up. She was at a loss of words to justify her behavior. "I know everything that happened... I just want some good news. And it'd be great if we brought in those bastards so they can't threaten anyone else."
Leon let out a sigh. "If you must know... We can't find them. They're probably in whatever hideout they got. I get the idea that Tin can was just a distraction."
"He was more than a distraction." Lihua replied. "He damn near killed us all."
"Yeah..." Leon said. "We didn't lose any big-wigs, but we lost quite a few Agents."
Lihua couldn't believe it herself when she realized that this lazy had a point. Maybe... she should take a break. A break for a little while. Yeah, that's exactly what she needs. Just a break for all of this. One near death experience - despite how used to them she was - warranted one.
"Did the infants safely get back to the base?" Lihua said, though, it was clear that she was more concerned with her own child. She wasn't even going to hide it.
"Yeah." Leon said, "They got faaaaaaar away from all the fighting."
"Good." Lihua stood straight up. "I'd like to confirm the well-being of my daughter."
"Well, I think you're going to need a ride...."
The Changeling Unit, & REAPER.
Well.
Heartbreaker didn't have any god damn idea what all that was about. What she knew was that there wasn't a single NEST Agent anywhere nearby. So, whatever that thing's doing, it must be working. Heartbreaker didn't stop sprinting for a second. Mannequin and Fig were by her side, and the Witch Mother was right behind her (A few paces behind her because of her age). Heartbreaker wasn't planning on stopping until they got away. Fortunately, she had a backup plan in case something like this happened.
The group reached the edges of the Ghost Town, Heartbreaker immediately hopped the barbed wire fence with surprising ease. Fig merely shot her green energy at the gate, and shot it open.
"... That works." Heartbreaker said, as her feet hit the ground.
They kept running before Heartbreaker suddenly stopped. "Hold up." She put her hand up, and the remaining Changelings stopped dead in their tracks. "The backup hideout is on the outskirts of town - probably not even apart of Verthaven." Heartbreaker mused. ".... We're in the Estella Isle. Which is far as fucking away from it as possible."
The Mannequin leaned in, and stated "I can hotwire-"
She facepalmed. "No, Mannequin. We're just going have to go through the sewer, because those NEST fuckers are probably on high alert."
A limousine scrolled up to them, and the first thing Heartbreaker did was reach for her gun. Th windows of the limo scrolled down, and it revealed a woman (With a very large and stocky man sitting besides her), obscured by shadows.
"I'm Stephanie Havok, Dr. Cross' assistant." The woman said. "Dr. Cross sent us to give you a ride out of here." The back door opened.
"Hmmmm..." Heartbreaker tilted her head, wondering if this is just an elaborate trap set up by NEST, but why would they know about Dr. Cross? "Yeah, sure." Heartbreaker shrugged, but kept her hand hovering over her revolvers. She slid into the limo, and Fig and Witch Mother slid in next to her. Mannequin awkwardly sat down - his body not designed for this.
There was a large space between herself, and their Hands of Science buddies. But, hot damn! This limousine was great. It had a fancy red interior, and comfortable seats. There was even a bar! A bar! Most importantly, the red lighting gave them a great view of their two guests.
The woman had very curly brown hair, and a angular, mousy-face, topped off with large glasses. Almost reminded Heartbreaker of a neurotic librarian! What caught Heartbreaker's eyes were her legs... No, not in that way (Heartbreaker doesn't swing that way), but it looks like the chick never uses her leg. They looked at flappy, and atrophied. She wore a three-piece suit. Heartbreaker remembered her name was Stephanie, or something.
The man next to her certainly was more eyecatching. He was this giantic man with a very stocky, stout build. He had tree-trunks as arms and legs. Just really muscular. He made her look like a twig. He wore the standard dark-grey, and red armor, that seemed to be specially made for him. Yet, he had a strange addition that made it impossible to see his face. He wore a fearsome helmet that looked much like Roman Artwork made out of metal. A lion's mane added a bit more flare to it. With a open mouth with teeth that exposed some of his face... what Heartbreaker did see looked nasty. His skin appeared to be rotted like a zombie.
Heartbreaker didn't catch his name, but he looked like the muscle. Well, at least she confirmed that he was with REAPER. Which means legs here is a Hand of Science.
"Heeeeeeeellloooo there...." Heartbreaker said, crossing her leg over her other. "It was nice of you to give us a ride."
Stephanie nodded her head. "Dr. Cross didn't want you to fall to NEST. You're still valuable allies to the Hands."
"That's it?" Heartbreaker grinned. "She didn't do it because we're friends? Damn, the mad scientist business is cold blooded." She playfully said, pushing her hat upwards with her thumb.
"Well..." Stephanie rubbed the back of her neck. "Dr. Cross-"
"... She doesn't want any of the Hands secrets getting out, okay?" The man said to her, his voice was incredibly deep. Almost monstrous. "That's all you need to know."
"Whoa, I'm sensing a little hostility here, bud." Heartbreaker playfully said. "And I don't know jackshit of what's even going on. I'm just doing my job: kidnapping babies, and shooting at whoever the hell you pay me to." She shrugged.
"You know of where the base is." The man noted. "We can't afford to let that get out."
"I only been there once. For like two hours." Heartbreaker shrugged. "Those NESTies can't get anything out of me."
"Don't get captured."
Heartbreaker snapped her fingers, quickly interrupting him, "Hey, hey, hey... Before I begin, who are you? You're obviously a REAPER, but I want to know who the hell you are, talking like I'm some amateur, and you're some expert."
"Wendigo." The man, now revealed as Wendigo, growled. Almost literally. His voice sounded incredibly beast-like, and agitated.
"Alright, Wendigo, let me tell you something," Heartbreaker leaned in. "If I was some fuckin' loser that had no god damn clue what the hell she was doing, I wouldn't have made it out of there-"
"... You wouldn't have gotten out of there if it wasn't for us."
"Hey, would ya shut up!" Heartbreaker replied, reaching for her gun. "Now where was I?"
"Can you two stop?" Stephanie asked. "You're both on the same side."
"... For now." Wendigo growled.
Heartbreaker didn't say a word. All she did was pull out her revolver at lightning speeds, and started twirling it around her finger.
"Do you have anywhere you want us to take you?" Stephanie asked.
"... Why didn't you ask that from the start?" Heartbreaker asked, raising an eyebrow. "What? Have you been driving around aimlessly for the last five minutes?"
"Away from here." Wendigo said.
"Just drop us off on the outskirts of town by the Rosalina Isle or something. We'll walk."
Stephanie nodded her head.
There was a long drive, but the limo drove the group outside the city limits. Which was wooded, obscured by trees and wildlife. It pulled up on the side of the road, and the Changeling unit stepped out. They stepped into the woods, with the Mannequin obscured by a cloak.
"Wait! Before you go!" Stephanie called out to them, and Heartbreaker turned around. "There's going to be a big meeting soon for the Hands, and Dr. Cross wants the Changeling Unit to attend."
"Huh? Really?" Heartbreaker tipped her hat. "Lemme guess, you want Bloodsucker?"
"Dr. Cross would appreciate it." Stephanie said.
Heartbreaker shrugged. "Eh, lemme see what I can do. That evil bastard is probably busy drowning orphans, or stealing candy from babies. I can't really guarantee he'll show up." Heartbreaker shrugged again. "Besides, you got both me, and the Mannequin. We're just as good, maybe even better, than Luis."
"Alright. Do your best. Just remember what Dr. Cross wants." Stephanie said, before the window closed, and the limo pulled off.
The Changeling Unit disappeared into the woods. With only one intention in mind.
... The utter destruction of Mark Emerson.
The Agents of NEST, Henry Olin, & Sonya Mayfield.
11:21 PM.
Maximilian's eyes shot wide open.
Immediately assaulted by the white light of... where was he? The man took a look around the room, noticing that he had to be in NEST's infirmary. He looks around, and then he looked down at his body. He was covered in bandages, and he felt incredible pain in his body. All sorts of machinery was hooked up to him. He put his hand on his forehead, and leaned forward. What the hell happened?
"Max, Max!" Leon said, as he barged into the room. He jovially said, "You're awake, you're alright!"
"Yeah... I think so." Max groaned. He lightly shook his head. "What happened?"
Leon shifted his weight to his back leg, and he looked away from Max. He asked, "Well, want me to give it to you straight, or sugar-coat it?"
"Just give it to me straight."
"We got our ass kicked."
"But by what?" Max asked.
"What? Did a bullet hit you in the head? Don't you remember that freaky ass metal thing?" Leon asked him.
Then it came to Max. He remembered everything that happened clearly. Oh so clearly. The massacre that happened to those poor Agents. He grit his teeth knowing that he couldn't stop it. "Oh, I remember now. Did we subdue it?" He asked.
"Right before it could kill Agent Vuhong, yeah." Leon shrugged. "I'm trying to get information out of it, but it thinks so fast that I get a raging headache each time. Same with our other telepaths. It ain't impossible, but we can do it."
"I see..." Max said.
"How's your kidney doing?" Leon asked.
"Huh?"
"Your kidneys... Wait, they didn't tell you?" Leon asked. "The bullet hit you right in the kidney. Docs had to pull it out. Thank God they had some healers on stand by... But, I hope you didn't like drinking...."
"God damn it..." Max muttered to himself.
"Another healing session, and you should be back on your feet. Don't think she can fully fix your kidneys. Heh... We got a private is scrolling around fixing all the people it injured, she should be swinging back around shortly." Leon said, throwing a thumb over his shoulder. "Speaking of our metal friend... Since you're our "Acting Director"-" Leon finger quoted. "The boys decided to leave the decision of what to do with the thing with you. It isn't going anywhere with that collar around it's neck."
It's up to Max? He's in so much pain that he couldn't think straight. "Give me time... I need to be healed."
"Alright, cool." Leon shrugged.
"But, we have a Hand of Science weapon...." Maximilian said. "We need to prepare for the likely possibility that REAPER will attack Headquarters."
"What? Wanna amp up defenses?"
"No, no... There was a special project we were undergoing to add more defenses to the Headquarters. We need to start dealing with the very real chance of an invasion."
"They're going to want their toy back." Leon said.
"Exactly. Which is why we have to make sure that they'll never get it."
Meanwhile, in another room, Sonya was in a similar position to Max. Wearing nothing but a hospital gown, in a bed. Unconscious. She was breathing normally, but her skin had some visible burns on it. Otherwise, she's okay. Her healing factor should take care of the damage. She began to awaken, grumbling some words about the stinging sensation.
"Sonya, you're awake!" Maria loudly shouted, as she ran over to Sonya, and embraced her for a hug. She was currently in her true form, a inky-humanoid. "I'm glad you're okay."
"Glad to see you alright, too, Sonya..." Agent Helena Page, who was leaning up against the wall of Sonya's infirmary room. Arms were crossed. She stepped off the wall, and walked closer to the bed. "You should be okay, you took a little electric shock. You're a little burned, but the doctors say that you should be okay."
"Your healing factor should take care of the rest." Maria said, letting go of Sonya.
"Glad to hear it!" Sonya cheerfully said - but her smile turned into a frown as she thought about what happened. "What happened to Maxi? Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he took a bullet in the kidney, but he's otherwise okay." Helena said. "Just need one more healing session before he's back on his feet."
"Well...." Sonya pulled her body back, and hopped out of the bed. Attaching the bulbs of her fingers to the ceiling. Her gown fell down a little bit, and exposed a little bit of herself. Helena let out a disgusted sound as she winced her head.
"Oops." Sonya said, as she fell down, and hit the ground. She adjusted her gown. "Let's go have a word with Maxi."
"... In that?" Helena pointed a finger at her hospital gown.
"Unless you wanna run off and grab my suit, sure!" Sonya said.
Helena facepalmed, shaking her head. She figured that it'd be best if they just walk over to Maximilian's room. She turned around, and gestured for them to come along. Before she reached the door, the doorknob turned on it's own, and a man pushed right through it.
"... Oh, excuse me, does this room belong to-" A man pushed into the room, average-heighted, his head of grey hair betrayed his actual age. He wore a black three-piece suit with a jet-black tie, and dress shoes. He didn't carry a single weapon on him. He was Caucasian, British in fact.
"... Adam?" Sonya immediately recognized him. "What are you doing all the way here in Verthaven? Shouldn't you be teaching kids in some Academy?" For a moment, she couldn't believe her eyes. Because Adam was one of the star NEST Agents. One of the best! Everyone knows about him. Sonya worked with him several times, to amazing success. Though, he could never outshoot her.
Adam adjusted his tie, looking down. "After I heard about what the Hands of Science were doing, I decided to come off retirement. I was sent here by High Command to help Maximilian spearhead a team."
"What team?" Sonya had to ask. This question was on everyone's mind.
"I'll explain it to everyone. Now, where is Maximilian?" Adam folded his hands behind his back. "I'd love to see my star pupil."
"Right this way, sir." Helena said, opening the door for them.
After one scroll through the halls and met up with Henry, who had been called in for the same purpose, the group of four arrived in Maximilian's room. Helena opened the door, and stepped through, followed by Maria and Sonya, then Adam. Immediately, Max, Henry and Leon were astonished.
"Awwwww shucks." Leon said, smiling. "Good to see you, sir."
"Long time, no see Blackmore." Henry said, a toothy smile on his face. It had been a while since he'd seen his old 218 teacher. Too long, actually.
"Hello, Agent Vahan, Agent Cornell, and it is great to see you again, Agent Olin." Adam said as she took center stage, walking up to the center of the room. He put his hands behind his back, and he said, "Apologies that I couldn't arrive sooner, and help. I arrived in Verthaven a few hours ago. You could have really needed me."
"No need to apologize, sir." Maximilian said. "You did the best you could. We did the best we could."
"Good." Adam said. "Now, let's get down to business, I have something to announce."
"Oh this is gonna be good...." Sonya said, looking Adam in the face. Henry gave her a knowning look, smirk and all.
"Alright," Adam straightened his back, and stared forward through his glasses. "Because of the high activity of the Hands of Science, and their private army REAPER, in Verthaven, High-Command has issued orders to form a special task force to combat the Hands, REAPER, and the Changeling Unit."
"Ooooooooh." Sonya said, with a intrigued smile on her face.
"Task Force RAVEN, to be precise." Adam said. "This special task force will exclusively target those organizations, and will not stop until they have been removed from Verthaven. Before moving onto other cities."
"Nice." Leon said, putting a hand onto his chin. "Who's gonna be in this task force?"
"Anyone willing to volunteer for it." Adam said. "Each of you are fine Agents, and I would be glad to have you on RAVEN."
"Of course, sir." Sonya said, saluting Adam. "I wanna stick it to those bastards at the Hands as much as anyone else."
"I dont have any plans over the next few days." Henry said, cracking his knucles. "I feel like we're copying KINGFISHER here. No shame in that."
Maria nodded her head. All of this sounded dangerous, but Maria wanted to be at Sonya's side for this. "I will join RAVEN."
Leon had a dumb smile on his face. "Heheh... Where ever Max goes, I go. I'm in. I could definitely be of assistance."
"I would be honored, sir." Maximilian nodded his head. "What happened a few hours ago is definite proof that the Hands of Science, REAPER, and whoever else stands by them, are definitely a threat to public safety and they have to be stopped at all costs."
"Good. You're the first agents to join RAVEN." Adam tilted his glasses. He turned around, and took a few steps for the door. He turned around, and looked over his shoulder. "I will be gathering as many Agents as possible for this task force. Because I promise you, the Hands of Science will not last the month."
Adam stepped out the door. "That is all."
Task Force RAVEN? Now Sonya could get behind that. This would be the ultimate sniping challenge for her... if she doesn't get electrocuted anymore. She was the greatest scout and sniper in NEST, after all. Sonya shrugged, keeping a cheeky smile on her face. Sonya turned to Max, and asked "So, Maxi, do you want to play Monopoly while we wait for the healer?"
Right as the last words left her mouth, someone started knocking on the door.
"Well, damn it. I was really looking forward to defeating you all at Monopoly." Sonya snapped her fingers.
"I wasn't." Henry said, crossing his arms. Sonya ALWAYS beat him. 100% of the time without fail. He wanted to call shenanigans.
"Oh, come on in, sweetheart!" Sonya shouted.
The door opened, and the redhaired Scarlet Obott stepped into the room. Nervous as ever. She never been around so many high ranking NEST Agents before. It made her feel like an ant standing next to a elephant! Scarlet awkwardly stepped into the room, scratching her hair bun. She looked at Max, and asked, "Um, hey... I'm Private Obott. I'm... supposed to heal you?"
"Yuppers!" Sonya said. "Let us just leave you two alone...."
The Agents started walking out the room, with Leon waving goodbye, saying, "Bye Max" The door slammed shut behind them.
Maximilian sighed, as he faced the girl. She was already in grabbing distance, her hands were coated with a clear, thick, liquid. She was poising to grab onto him. "Wait, Private-" Maximilian was barely able to mouth the words before the euphoria from the drug overcame him. All he saw was colors, and felt nothing but happy thoughts.
... He never wants to experience this again.
Lihua Vuhong, & the Agents of NEST.
Lihua was holed up in her office since the second she got to the base, and got her daughter back.
Simply cradling her in her arms. Relieved to have gotten her back from those bastards. She examined her body... There was not a single mark on her body. Nobody touched her. She was also well fed, and well hydrated. She was otherwise in perfect condition. She had to thank whatever God was listening knowing that she had gotten her back before they could damage her. Now, she feels quite great, her focus can finally fall upon destroying the bastards that took her. She sat down in her chair, her eyes not leaving the sleeping Lijuan for a second.
I'll make sure you see all that life has to offer. Without worrying about these evil people.
The door opened, and Lihua looked up, and saw that Maximilian, Leon, and a aged newcomer came in.
"Hello, Maximilian. You're back on your feet awfully fast." Lihua commented as they walked up. Before she looked down.
"Yeah, I was subjugated to some... Advanced healing methods." Max said, looking back at Leon who was playfully smiling. "Have you met Adam Blackmore?"
"Hello, Agent Vuhong." Adam nodded his head.
"Oh?" Lihua hadn't personally met him, but she's certainly heard much of Adam back in his exploits in Black Fall. "It is a pleasure to meet you, what can I help you with today?"
"I'm forming a Task Force to bring down the Hands of Science." Adam said, slamming his fist into his palm.
Just the words that Lihua wanted to hear. She wanted to put all her intelligence, and informational, talents to go use to defeat them, and restore order to this city. "Excellent. I'd gladfull-" Lihua was cut off by Max.
"... But, that's not I wanted to talk to you about." Maximilian took a few steps forward. "You know what you did while you were fighting that thing?"
Lihua looked away. She knew exactly what was coming up, and it was quite shameful.
"I saw it with my own two eyes; you got another Agent critically injured in order to land a hit on it." Maximilian said. "She is undergoing intense healing sessions to repair her arm - but that is simply unacceptable behavior."
"Sir, I was doing what was-" Lihua tried to answer - about to note that the Agent would have died - but Max cut her off anyone.
"You were doing what was "necessary"? Where the hell is your humanity, Agent Vuhong?" Maximilian hissed, taking steps over to Lihua's desk, and slamming his hand onto it. He leaned in, staring Lihua right in the eye. "No. You did what was "necessary" to get a hit in. You almost got another Agent killed back there. I don't care about your justifications, because you weren't thinking about her well being at all."
Lihua stared him right in the eye, as he said the words that she was hoping he wouldn't.
"... I hate to say this, but as acting director, you are suspended without pay indefinitely. Until I feel like letting you resume your duty." Max spoke every word with anger in his voice.
Lihua grit her teeth, and grinded her fingers against the desk. She let out a sigh. She resigned, "... Fine." She took her badge off, and placed it on her desk, sliding it up the desk. She also placed her gun down on the desk.
She stood straight up, and walked out the room, with Lijuan in hand.
"... Take care now." Leon said.
Ugh. She hated that word. She took steps out of the hallway. God damn it. She couldn't believe this! She was giving her all to this job and they choose to suspend her? Maybe, she was being blinded by her anger. She thought about the Agent that was injured. What would happen if the healing didn't work on her arm. She'd probably have to get amputated. Lihua would take responsibility for it... and maybe she should have back there. Lihua hit herself in the forehead lightly with a closed fist. So many things she could have done better! Yet, she felt like there was no choice against that aberration. They just can't take risks when dealing with the Hands of Science, and that thing could have likely killed them all. Though, a part of her realized that Maximilian would have straight up fired any lower-tier Agent. Max knew that she was too valuable an asset.
Maybe this whole thing was a calling card. She just needed a break. A break before she lost her mind.
Lihua stepped into the elevator, and pressed the button. After a short ride, she arrived right in the lobby. She walked to the front doors. What am I supposed to do now? Lihua let out a sigh, as she stepped. Holding Lijuan tightly. She felt a little lost. Just go home and act like nothing happened? Put Lijuan back in her bed and hope that the Changeling Unit just doesn't come back.
Lihua stepped right out the doors of the Headquarters and stepped right down the stairs.She stood at the very bottom and looked around, remembering that she had no ride home. Rain began falling from the sky, and it shortly soaked before Lihua and Lijuan. She could wait here for Meifeng, but honestly, she just wanted to get the hell away from this building fast as possible. She walked through the gates, and caught eye of a taxi. "Taxi!" She shouted, raising her finger up into the air.
The Taxi pulled up, and Lihua stepped in, drenched in water. She slid onto the seats, and she didn't even give the driver a moment to ask where she wanted to go, "Well, it's your lucky day, I need a ride halfway across the city tonight."
"That's great, lady." The overweight cab driver said. "... Where do you wanna go?"
"114 Oxford Road, Central Valley." Lihua answered. "Just take me there... I don't care about the cost."
"Heheh... Your wallet's going to regret that later!" He said as he pressed the gas pedal, and the car started driving forward.
Ignoring him, Lihua turned her head, and looked out the window. They passed by taillights so fast they appeared like streams. Yeah... Lihua always noted that the city looked completely different at night. So many lights, sights, and people (Who are oh so unaware of how bad the situation is). She had a feeling that this man was just an assassin sent to kill her. She reached into her purse, and subtly unzipped the secret compartment of her purse. Just in case.
Fortunately, he had no intentions of killing her. After a long drive, he brought them right in front of her house. Where her car was resting, which meant Meifeng was home.
"Sixty-five dollars, and eighty-eight cents, lady!" The cabbie said.
Wasn't a lot of money. She was expecting more, but maybe this man was one of the good souls. Maybe he sensed some plight coming from her. Lihua quickly reached into her purse, and pulled out three-twentys, and a ten. She handed him all the money - and told him, "Keep the change." As she stepped out of the car with Lijuan in hand.
"Thanks lady!" The cabbie said with a goofy smile as he drove all.
Lihua walked up the stairs to her suburban house, she reached into her purse, and put her keys into the doorknob and turned it. She stepped inside, and the first thing she saw was the electronic light of their living room TV. Lihua turned her head to the side, and saw Meifeng playing Call of Duty on the Playstation 4. Wearing nothing but a T-shirt, and boxers.
Her eldest daughter turned her head around, and looked right at Lihua, "God da-" She cut herself off, realizing she was cursing (And speaking English). She turned back to the TV, and spoke to her mother in their native language, "You must have had a long with uncle Jiao-Long."
"... Yes." Lihua noticed that Meifeng bought the lie completely. "I haven't seen him in years, he's quite the talker, you know."
"Yeah, yeah, glad you had fun." Meifeng smiled completely. Knowing that Lihua didn't know about her little adventure at the party.
Both Vuhong women had secrets of how they spent their night. Hiding it from the other for their own health.
"Meifeng?" Lihua asked.
"Yeah?"
"Can you take Lijuan and put her in the bed? I'm... tired." Lihua asked her.
"What the hell-" Meifeng cut herself off again, earning a narrow glare from Lihua. She simply paused the game, and left the match. "I'm going to lose the match... but I'll do it." She hopped up, and walked over to Lihua and grabbed Lijuan. Before she stepped up the stairs to put her away.
"And you get to bed yourself." Lihua ordered. Before she let out a sigh. She immediately walked over to the kitchen, and opened the refrigerator. She grabbed a glass bottle of red wine, and reached into the cabinets above, and grabbed a wine glass. She calmly poured the wine into the cup, and downed it all in one sip. She poured herself another glass, and did the same.
Seems like alcohol is the remedy.
The thoughts ran through her head as she downed the third sip. Before she just put the bottle of wine down, and just started drinking it from the bottle. She sloppily downed as much as she could. It started dripping out of her mouth, and down her neck. A very disgraceful look for a woman of elegance like herself. She let out a sigh as she drunk half the bottle. She started feeling a little woozy, but was otherwise fine. She carried herself up the stairs, and peeked inside Lijuan's room. Just as instructed, her baby was wrapped in bedsheets. Lihua smiled, as she walked into her own room, and simply fell onto the bed.
She was asleep in seconds.
The Hands of Science.
"Ignatius." Dr. Cross said, as she stood with her hands behind her back.
She peered through the window into the examination room. Where they had this... creature, strapped down. It looked nothing like something this planet could reasonably produce - and looked much more like something you'd see in a movie. As an alien. It was a large creature, at least twelve feet tall. It's arms were as thick as trees, with it's hands being tipped off with wicked bone claws. It's body appeared to be made out of some liquid. It looked like flowing water, and underneath it, one could clearly see the bones, and the organs that kept it functioning.
Except, no creature like this should be able to function.
It was strapped down to a large examination table. Arms were restrained with heavy shackles, and it's head was tied down. Violently thrashing what little of it's body that it could. As scientists walked up, and began slicing off bits of it's tissue. Oddly, any part of it they removed - no matter how big - simply turned into water.
"God... This was a pain in the ass to get." Ignatius walked up right next to Dr. Cross. Ignatius, a tall man with a pronounced face, and black, spiky hair. He wore an overcoat that flung behind him. He had scars around his neck that implied that his head was cut clean off. "Hope you and the boys make good use out of it."
"I'm wondering where he hell they're coming from." Dr. Cross said, rubbing her chin. "We don't know about any Metahumans capable of creating them."
"My bet is that someone just developed the power - must be some homeless fuck that has nothing to gain - or lose - by registering his ability." Ignatius shrugged. "Gotta get the boys to scan the area and find him."
"I doubt we really have the manpower to search for someone we have zero leads on." Dr. Cross turned to Ignatius.
"Just a sugge-" Ignatius shrugged - but he was cut off mid-sentence by something... bad happening.
The monster that the Hands had imprisoned broke out, it's bind around it's arms flew off so hard that it had embedded itself into the ceiling. The scientists panicked, but the creature swung it's arm, and sent the scientist flying and he hit the observation window that Dr. Cross and Ignatius were peering through. A woman started screaming as the beast grabbed her by the head, and crushed it effortlessly. It grabbed another scientist, and tore him in half, and threw his body onto the ground.
Before it could continue it's rampage, a flash of light appeared in the air, obscured by diamond dust and cold air. It appeared right in arm's reach of the creature. Once the diamond dust faded, it revealed Snowblind. When the creature tried to swipe at her, she merely jammed two fingers into it's body, and ice quickly traveled up it's body. It let out one last pained cry as it turned into an ice sculpture.
Snowblind looked through the observation window, and appeared in there alongside Ignatius, and Dr. Cross.
"... You could have just incapacitated it." Dr. Cross hissed. "Now we lost the only one!"
"Eh. What's done is done." Snowblind looked at her nails again. "You can find another."
"Ugh..." Dr. Cross said. She rolled her eyes, before realizing why Snowblind was here. She must have carried out that little mission. "How did the test run of the Sunflower Mutagen go?"
"Our little REAPERs got into a fight with some kids, and I got them to take the serum. A bunch of other people jumped into the fight, but they got taken down. However, it worked like a charm. They were basically given Metahuman powers...." Snowblind put her hands behind her back. "... Only problem was that it started to malfunction, and made their hands fall off, before it wore out."
Ignatius raised an eyebrow. "Definitely not giving that to my REAPERs..."
Dr. Cross raised her hand at Ignatius. "We'll work out the kinks later. That's why we did our test run."
".... Our friends at the Changeling Unit got away safely." Wendigo said, as he walked up to the group, crossing his massive arms as Stephanie rolled up on a wheelchair. "Hate that Heartbreaker broad, though. I'd enjoy eating-"
"Silence, Wendigo." Dr. Cross said. "Stephanie, did PR-1 get captured as planned?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Stephanie answered. "He'll be initiating stage-two of the plan any time now."
"Good. Did you get the Changeling Unit to attend the meeting?"
"I.... tried." Stephanie said, twiddling her thumbs. "But I think they're more concerned with revenge than anything else."
"Good grief. We need Bloodsucker there."
"Pttf... Do you really want that incorrigible scum at our classy meeting?" Ignatius asked, raising an eyebrow. "Just have Heartbreaker and the Mannequin show up."
"I know the two of you have... history." Dr. Cross said. "But, this meeting will affect all of our futures. Because I plan on making some big changes...."
"Hmph, for the better, or worse?" Wendigo asked sarcastically.
"You'll find out." Dr. Cross nodded. "Ignatius, have REAPER ready."
"Yeah, yeah, sure, boss." Ignatius shrugged. "Let's go my REAPERs." He raised his hand, and Snowblind and Wendigo stepped out with him.
Dr. Cross and Stephanie watched them leave, before they faced each other.
"Oh, almost forgot." Stephanie said. "The Chairmen of the Northeast branch said that he has a gift for you. They're sending it to the test subject containment chambers now."
"Oh?" Dr. Cross raised an eyebrow. "How about we go find out what our genius friend sent us?"
Stephanie nodded her head, and she rolled down the hallway. With Dr. Cross right behind her, pushing it. It was a short scroll before they made it to the Containment Chambers.
"Let me go! You bastards!" The voice of a hispanic-accented female came from around the corner. Dr. Cross turned the corner, and saw two REAPERs pushing a woman into one of the cells. Before they turned away and walked off.
Dr. Cross stepped up the cell, and looked inside. She saw a young woman that had to be no older than her twenties, Hispanic if the brown skin and facial features didn't give it away, and had hair dyed purple. She was dressed like a punk.
Stephanie couldn't exactly see into the cell, but she could definitely relay the information that the Chairman gave her. "She's a vagrant from New York. She wandered her way into Black Fall where REAPER captured her. No one will be looking for her here in Verthaven."
"This is nice... but what can she do?" Dr. Cross said, facing Stephanie.
"She's an incredibly powerful Metahuman." Stephanie said, looking up at Dr. Cross. "She has the ability to gift powers to people with her own unique version of the Metahuman energy she can harness. Along with being able to sense Metahumans, and enhance them... Even to the point where they basically become bombs."
"Interesting.... We might have a use for her...." Dr. Cross looked back into the room. "Tell me, what's her name?"
"Carmen Santo... but I think I heard her call herself Lily."
Dr. Cross grinned, putting her hand on the glass. "Lily..."
"... You are going to help us make so many breakthroughs."
One week later... 2:22 PM.
Once again, Intrepid Reporter, Molly Schuler, appeared on TVs all across Verthaven. Standing in front of the NEST Headquarters.
"Hello, this is Reporter Molly Schuler, and this is the news. A week ago NEST had launched an offensive against the Changeling Unit who were hiding out in the Ghost Town. The group that was behind the kidnappings of many Metahumans infants. A strike team of NEST agents moved in with the intention of apprehending them, but the group put up heavy resistance and forced the Agents to use deadly force. They eliminated the unit, and safely extracted the infants and returned them to their homes. However, an explosion was set off that injured and killed many NEST Agents while they had the remainder of the Unit cornered. These Changelings are known as Heartbreaker, The Mannequin, Fig, and the Witch Mother."
The TV screen showed images of the four, taken by NEST Agents during their retreat.
"These four individuals are extremely dangerous, and it is advised that, if spotted, that you immediately clear the area and contact NEST. Furthermore, NEST has acknowledged the extreme danger to public safety that the Changeling Unit, and the Hands of Science, present, and has formed an elite task force dedicated to taking down the organization, and removing any threat to public safety they pose. This is what Agent Maximilian Cornell has to say."
The screen turned to a video of Maximilian standing on a stage and behind a podium. At his side was Agent Adam Blackmore, and Agent Leon Vahan.
"Hello, hello, I am Maximilian Cornell, and I am here saying that NEST fully acknowledges the threat that the Hands of Science pose to public safety. Just look at what happened a few days ago, their soldiers attacked a party full of innocent children. Do the people of Verthaven have to live in fear of these people? No. No one should. They should be free to live without fear. I know NEST has had a hand in them, and caused much pain during the Festival - but we are going to give it our all to correct the damage the former director caused. We are going to give it our all to bring everyone responsible for this down. Which is why I'm glad to announce the creation of Task Force RAVEN. An elite squad that will combat any and all threats presented by the Hands of Science. We have some of NEST's finest in our ranks. And I promise you, we will not stop unt-"
"... Oh shit, SNIPER! GET DOOOOOWN!" Leon shouted as he grabbed Maximilian and tackled him to the ground. The crowd panicked.
The focus went back to Molly. "The Sniper in question was fellow NEST Agent Sonya Mayfield. Task Force RAVEN has been particularly effective in combating the Hands of Science. Just this week, several Hands operations were thwarted, including a large scale battle that took place in the downtown district. Here is an image of the aftermath."
The screen changed to a smoldering crater in the middle of the street, exposing some of the sewer as pipes dripped water. With fire, blocks of concrete, shell casing, cars, and other pieces of destruction littered throughout the area.
"It truly was an amazing battle."
The screen shifted right back to Molly. "Finally, NEST is investigating the strange weather patterns that are going on in Verthaven. They have questioned every Metahuman capable of changing the weather, and found no one responsible for it. They are still probing. But for the uninformed; three weeks ago rainfall began to appear out of nowhere. Followed by strange and unexplained attacks on people during the rainfall. The attacks have gotten much more frequent, and vicious. It is heavily advised that people stay indoors during the rainfall."
Maximilian's voice woke Sonya up from her reverie. She was obscured by the dead of night, wearing her armor. She was on the edge of the rooftop looking down the sights of her sniper rifle. She was staring at a scene in an alleyway. A group of cars facing a big black van (No license plate). Men stepped out of the car, and Sonya immediately identified them as Red Crowns. From their manner of dress (They were wearing Red Crown colors), their demeanor, their firearms, and... their skin color (She isn't racist). One of the men grabbed a woman out of the trunk, wearing a black bag over her head. Out of the van came a well dressed man, and a woman, they had to be REAPERS, or at the very least, with the Hands.
"The Red Crowns grabbed someone... I think it's a trade?" Sonya suggested into the comms. "Leon, you gotta get a good view of this and tell us what's going on."
"Yeah, yeah..." Leon said, standing on another roof, an apartment building. He was leaning up against the rooftop entrance. These bozos were just in range. His eyes started glowing brightly as he observed the location from a distance. The meeting between the Red Crowns, and the Hands of Science.
One of the Red Crowns, a large African-American man, covered in tattoos, was pulling the woman along, and he threw her right between the groups. "Yeeeeah, alright, we got the bitch for ya'." He walked up, and snatched the bag off her head. She was an African-American woman with black hair, and a pretty little face.
"Hey, you can't do this to me!" The woman screamed.
"Shut up, bitch!" The Red Crown open handed slapped her.
Henry zoomed in on the woman, and highlighted her for Sonya to track.
"Get me info on this one, Eli." Henry said, sending the information through his uplink to his codemonkey in Verthaven. There was some mumbling on the other side of his earpiece, and within a few seconds all of her information about her on the Metahuman database came up on bot Sonya's and his own arm piece. Vanessa Smith. A metahuman that lives in Eagle-Rock Row. Not reported missing... which means they grabbed her not too long ago. She's a Metahuman capable of turning invisible.
Which she aptly demonstrated when she immediately vanished from vision, and ran. She didn't get far because she was leaving footprints on the dirt that Sonya could easily track.
The Red Crown ran up, felt around until he grabbed, and gave her a solid punch to the face that sent her tumbling over. Visible.
"Ouch." Sonya said to herself, tempted to shoot the man right in between the eyes. Henry made no sound, but he did wince for the woman.
"Bitch, stay down! Do I have to beat you again?!" The Red Crown shouted at her, kicking her while she was down. She sobbed a little bit as he reached down and pulled her up. Presenting her to the people in suits. "As you can see, we grabbed the bitch you wanted. Where our bread?"
Leon quickly peaked into the heads of the people, and confirmed they were indeed members of the Hands of Science.... Including some other juicy information about a big meeting taking place at one of their bases. This made Leon moist.
"Yeah, they're bagging people to bring back to their base." Leon put his finger on the comm piece. "Looks like we are golden. Time to put your little plan in motion, Maxi."
Maximilian put his fingers on his own earpiece, and ordered, "Agent Inkshade, they are confirmed Hands of Science members. Place the tracker."
"On it, boss." Inkshade was already converted into her inky form. She slid across the ground, obscured by the night. She slid underneath the van, and a tentacle placed a tiny, circular, device, underneath the vehicle. She quickly slid back, and spoke into the comms, "Planted."
"Good." Maximilian said. "Now we wait."
"... We're going to save her, right?" Sonya had to ask the question. Because she was worried. Really worried.
Maximilian sighed through the comms. "We will Agent Merryday... Just not right now."
"What? We're just going to stand by as they beat her to a pulp?!" Sonya said in utter disbelief. "Then torture her in whatever hell lab they take her to?!"
"Keep your voice down, Merryday. If they notice he she might not make it to wherever she's going." Henry said, prompting his partner to quiet down some.
"Look... Merryday, I knew that not all of you would agree with this...." Maximilian said, "... But Adam raised a few good points when he said that we can't keep fighting these one-off battles against REAPER. We have to find their base and destroy it."
"Even if it means we have to sacrifice an innocent life?"
"When we raid the base, we will get her out, safe and sound, I promise." Maximilian pleaded with her. "But we can't tip the Hands off that we're tracking them."
"Can we at least break up these gangsters?" Sonya asked.
"Negative." Maximilian said. "They might get suspicious. Just let things play out - it'll pay off in the end."
Sonya groaned as she watched the REAPERS throw the woman into the van, and giving the men their money, before they all drove off. "... Affirmative, sir." Sonya said, finally resigning.
"Good. The tracker is working fine. We might be able to track them back to their base."
"Also gotta note a few things when we get back to HQ." Leon said.
"Alright, Agents, pull out."
"Mission Planned Parenthood is a go." Henry commented.
Everyone groaned.
The next morning...
Task Force RAVEN was gathered in the Headquarters meeting room. A dark room, with a oval shaped table, and various chairs pushed up against it. The Agents were sitting in the chairs - except for Sonya, who choose to cling to the ceiling. A fly buzzed around Helena, before Sonya's tongue whipped out, and grabbed the fly.
Helena winced. "Jesus, Sonya, watch it."
"Oh, sorry. Force of habit! Hehe..." Sonya awkwardly smiled.
"I remember those days." Henry commented, a smile on his face as he watched the two argue in a way that an older brother would.
Maximilian walked into the room, holding a pile of files. He slammed it on the table as Adam flicked the projector on. "Alright, I believe this might be the breakthrough we needed in our fight against the Hands."
The projector showed a screen of a building in the middle of a large clearing. It looked like an abandoned factory. Going off of how run down it looked, it was either in the Iron District, or close to it.
"We tracked the REAPERs back to the big one." Maximilian said. "We had Agent Vahan and some scouts go through the area, and we have confirmed that, beneathe this building, is a massive Hands of Science lab. Holding a large number of scientists, and REAPER weaponry."
"Okay, so beneath the building there's a lab. Any idea as to what's in there? Projects we should be aware of, dangerous materials, biohazards?"
"Oh, lots of them." Leon said, as he put his feet on the table. "Honestly, I think we should just throw a bomb at it, and call it a night."
Max threw Leon a narrow glare. "... Agent Vahan confirmed that this is where they're creating, and distributing the REAPER Mutagen... by extracting the raw form of the energy, and using biological materials. It's extremely votile, and dangerous. We also have confirmation on various dangerous chemicals, radioactive materials, and unstable Metahumans."
"Sounds like this will be fun." Helena snarked, crossing her arms. "I think I could use a tentacle or two. How about the rest of you?"
"What is Agent Obott's status?" Henry questioned. By the look on his face, he was cooking up a plan. Or at least, part of a plan. His hand was scratching his chin, his arm resting on his other, which was crossed over his massive barrel chest in a very 'thinker' like pose.
"Private Obott?" Maximilian asked. "She's still training with the rest of the Privates. Why?" He was hoping to never see that woman again. Not after that high.
"There's no way we'll be able to get in there, at least not easily or without a fight," Henry commented. His eyes shifted to the picture of the building on the projector. "But... we might not have to."
"Obott has some pretty powerful drugs in her body. Because there's a lab under the building, that means that the AC units are likely to be outside. If we can... you know, get to those without anyone noticing, we could very well knock most of the building out. Or at least drug them up enough to make them easy pickings. Since the lab's gotta be cold, the AC unit's going to be taking the cool air down there first and then circulating up."
He finished speaking with a smile on his face. "Chemical warfare."
"This might be a good idea." Maximilian said. He quickly gestured to Adam, who pressed a button and the projector changed images. Good thing that they took a picture of this building from every angle possible. They came across an odd group of AC Units outside the building. "There!" Max shouted. He rubbed his chin.
"Those huge tubes connecting to the building, we gotta connected Obott to those. After that, we just gotta let her breathe."
"Ummm..." Sonya said, raising one of her bulbed fingers. "You really want to send a private in there?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Well, actually, I want to send a private, AND her civilian brother OUT there." Henry said.
Sonya's mouth went agape. Not a word came out her mouth.
"They wont be in much danger outside the building. We just need to take out the cameras monitering that area and make sure no one happens to come across them. All they need is an hour, give or take." Henry said. He sighed, knowing how crazy the plan must sound.
"Listen, we lost a lot of good people on that last assault. I think we're looking at a really high death count if we dont find a way to 'dull the blades'."
"... You do know there's dogs and shit, too?" Leon quickly noted.
"It's not hard to create a distraction. I know just how well a dog can smell, I know how to trick myself."
"Hmmmm.... While it will be a total shitstorm if the kid gets hurt, he does a point." Helena raised a finger, with her eyes closed. "We lost a lot of people - and we're god damn NEST Agents. Are we so incompetent that we can't cover a kid and a rookie?"
"I think," Henry said, looking around the room to his fellow RAVEN agents, "That we can handle that. Leon, you and I should probably go down there with them. If anything, I'll be the muscle and you can I will be able to see anything coming if any of our SNIPERS..." Henry said, directing his attention to Sonya and Maria (who would probably play Spotter in his place). "...Dont see them first. Then, after a little bit of breathing, a NEST van picks 'em up and we storm the castle."
"Well," Sonya said, "I'm NEST's greatest sniper. You know no one would be able to even get close to them on my watch." She said, warming up to the idea. Though, it didn't come down to Henry in the end. It came down to Max, and Adam....
"I..." Max crossed his arms. Indecisive about the operation. NEST is known for phoning Metahumans for help every now and then, but this might be the big one. "... If you can get them on board with the plan, then we can go through with it."
Adam raised his eyebrow, "Are you sure you want to do that, Maximilian?"
"Should they agree, I will take full responsibility for what happens to them." Max said. "I approve of the plan"
Henry clapped his hands together.
"I'll go and visit them. They know me well enough. His sister is an Agent through my recommendation. Anyone want to come along?"
"I'll accompany you." Max said.
"Now, should we discuss the next big thing?" Leon asked, calmly folding his hands on the table. "While I was scanning those REAPERs... they mentioned something about a big meeting. Where all the big shots in the Hands will be."
"This might be too good to be true." Maximilian said. Henry did some kind of fist pump happy dance.
"I didn't sense any lies in their thoughts." Leon answered. "If they were correct, we'll have every H-o-S big wing in one place... and if Olin's gambit goes as planned, they'll be sedated, and ready to be detained."
Sonya smiled widely. "This will be perfect!" She said with glee.
"Lets make sure to have a car parked nearby for emergency evac of the Obott's. If we do this right, we could have just burnt the stump of the hydra's head."
"We'll be rid of them for good." Helena said, dryly. She knew that this plan wouldn't go as planned but she was going to give it a shot.
"Alright, Agents. Let's get set up." Maximilian said, standing straight up. "Agent Olin, let's go find the rookie, and her brother." He nodded his head at Henry.
Eyes shot wide open, Lihua awoken in not the best manner. Shaking, and she felt her pillow soaked. With... sweat. Her own sweat. Cold sweat. It had the distinct odor. She knew exactly what that means. She was no stranger to the sensation (Nor was she a stranger to waking up screaming). She knew that it was just further proof that she wasn't right in the head. Not that she was ever going to admit that fact to someone else. All they need to know is that she's completely fine. Though... She just can't stop thinking about that thing. That horrible Aberration. Every word he said, how she was no different from REAPER, began to resonate with her. Before she acted proud, like it wouldn't bother her. Now that she has time to think on what he meant... it made her realize that there was, most likely, a lot more similarities between them than she would like to believe. How human, is the question. Lihua was panting, and her eyes shifted to the night table where she saw the only respite.
Alcohol.
A bottle of whiskey was resting on her nightstand. She didn't even hesitate, the second her eyes locked with it, she grabbed onto it, and twisted the top off. Lihua simply omitted the cup and shoved it right into her mouth and started drinking. She drunk more, and more, and more of it. Until she had to stop and catch her breath. She started breathing as she thought on what PR-1 said some more. Her eyes drifted over to the side, looking for her alarm clock. 2:22 PM. It's two o'clock and she's drinking her kidney away. How fitting. Lihua grinned.
It was just a downward spiral from here.
It was a challenge pulling herself out of the bed. Even for a woman with her willpower and discipline. Yet, she managed to stand up, and walk over to her door. Lihua was sleeping in underwear that'd be less than appropriate with two other people in the house. She kept a white bathrobe hanging from her door. She grabbed it, and pulled her arms through it, before tying it nice and tight together. She grabbed onto her doorknob, stopped for a moment and groaned, before she opened it, and stepped out onto the hallway. The house was oddly quiet. Usually Meifeng is working out, playing the game, or listening to music. Not even bickering with Mika? Now, Lihua was a bit worried. She stepped up to Lijuan's room, and opened the door - There was no Lijuan in her crib. Lihua's heart started racing. She hung her head, and put her fingers to her forehead. Everything's okay. She just needs to have a look around.
"Girls?" Lihua called out in English as she regained her posture. She put her hands on the railing, and started walking down the stairs. She saw that her flatscreen TV was on, and Meifeng was obviously playing a game on it - she had paused it. Where the hell was that child? The first thing that came to mind was looking into the kitchen. She turned, and began walking forward. Upon walking through the doorframe, the first thing that Lihua saw was Meifeng sitting at the table, and Lijuan was placed into her high-chair. Eating some babyfood out of a bowl.
The first thing that Meifeng did was look up at Lihua. Leaning forward in the chair. "Oh, you're finally awake." Meifeng said, and Lihua could just sense the venom in her daughter's voice. "I fed Lijuan for you since you forgot." She rolled her eyes.
"Apologies." Lihua said as she sat down at the table. Right across from her daughter. Lihua folded her hands. "I haven't exactly been feeling well - but thank you for taking up responsibilities for me in my absence."
"Your welcome."
"Now, if you would excuse me, I'll take it from here." Lihua said - only to get Meifeng out of here so she can safely drink with impunity.
Meifeng merely nodded her head, before standing straight up, and stepping out of the room. Lihua could hear her going back to playing her game. Until Dawn, or something. Lihua didn't know or care.
All she knew was the sound of videogames being played was her cue. Lihua immediately stood up and walked over to the refrigerator. She pulled out wine, and - this time - got a glass. She came back, and slammed the bottle on the table. There, that's where she began drinking.
Lihua was so damn caught up in her drinking that she barely noticed that the game had paused again. She managed to empty a couple glasses before Meifeng decided to return to the room. Walking up, and slamming her hands on the table.
"Okay, you've been drinking an awful lot, don't you think, mom." Meifeng said to her in Chinese. Staring her right in the eye. "Are you sure that this is just a vacation? That nothing else happened?" Meifeng questioned.
Lihua was quick to double-down. She placed the glass back down with a ding, and looked Meifeng right in the eye. "I don't remember saying that it was any of your business."
"It is my business." Meifeng growled. "You've been acting mopey as all hell the second you came back that night. And I'm not stupid. You're going to tell me what actually happened between you and Uncle Jiao-Long, if something even hap-"
"Enough." Lihua said, slamming her fist in the table, staring Meifeng in the eye. "Have you forgotten who you're talking to. I told you I'm on vacation. That's the end of it."
"Like hell..." Meifeng growled again, looking away for a moment. Trying to gather what she's trying to say - and realized that she was being... indirect. That was probably the problem from the start. "Look, Mom, I'm trying to help you here. I should have said that from the start, but I care-" Meifeng put her hand on her chest, trying her damn best to plead with her. "-I care so much. Even Mika cares. But we can't help you if you don't tell us what's wrong - Why you've been drinking yourself to death lately."
Help. Every time that Meifeng said that word, Lihua got more and more agitated. Her hand holding was shaking, trying to contain herself. "... There's nothing to help with. And even if there was, I don't need any."
"Okay, you're trying to go lone-wolf again? Come on."
"I don't need this." Lihua said, before she started downing the glass of wine. It spontaneously slipped -no, was pulled - right out of her hand. It hit the ground, and shattered. The glass of wine right next to her was also pushed over.
Meifeng shook her head as she turned around.
It took every once of willpower for Lihua to avoid screaming that girl's head off. Yet, now she's realizing how self-destructive she's being.... She needs to talk to someone - Anyone - who'd understand. She didn't know who, because her circle of friends was very small.
Then it came to her.
Lihua reached into her pocket, and punched in a phone number. It was supposed to be a secret, but she really needed this. Lihua put the phone to her ear, and patiently waited for the person on the other end to answer. Once he did, she didn't even give him a second,
"Mr. Moreau-" She was aware that wasn't his real name, but she barely cared, "-can we arrange for a meeting? I need to talk to you about something."
It was the first time the twins traveled on their own, but their initial excitement quickly evaporated after an uneventful ten-hour flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles. Once the brothers piled themselves into a hailed taxicab, Shizuka Takashiro was quick to knock himself out and lay down snoozing on the older one's lap, his legs cramped against the door awkwardly. Haruka Takashiro had to shout out their destination - quite literally - at the driver over the blaring music from the speaker before reclining back into the seat, pulling out a thick volume (Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in Chinese). He shrugged at the driver, who seemed to be saying something but the words were drowned by the song's deep bass, and turned his attention to the novel.
The long ride was generally smooth and quiet save for the car radio and engine sound; Haruka occasionally looked up from his book and peered out of the window, watching the scenery passing by in a blur of gray. They left the city of L.A. far behind their back, and he noticed the sky was becoming darker as they sped towards Verthaven. Raindrops dotted the glass pane, gradually hitting harder, and soon a storm was beginning to rage outside. The driver switched the channel, the hit songs replaced by a clipped female voice:
"...NEST is investigating the strange weather patterns that are going on in Verthaven. They have questioned every metahuman capable of changing the weather, but found no one responsible for it. They are still probing. For the uninformed: three weeks ago rainfall began to appear out of nowhere, followed by strange and unexplained attacks on people during the rainfall. The attacks have gotten much more frequent, and becoming more vicious. It is heavily advised that people stay indoors during the rainfall."
Haruka raised an eyebrow.
"Heard that, boy?" the driver growled at the older twin. "I don't know what kind of business you two have with the people there, but that place is dangerous. Especially not for a couple of young Chinese brats like you."
"We have a relative who lives there," Haruka replied coolly. "And we're actually Japanese, not Chinese."
The driver glanced at the rear view mirror, his eyes narrowed at the book in his hand through the reflection. "...Right. Japanese." He then returned his attention back to the road. "Well, don't say I didn't warn you."
"I appreciate your kindness, but we really need to go there."
The driver nodded. He spoke again, this time his voice was less harsh. "By the way, are you one of those weirdos?"
"Huh?"
"Y'know, they call themselves 'metahumans'. People with strange powers."
Haruka's face remained impassive. "No, we're not." He stroke the pale hair of his younger brother absentmindedly. "We just have an aunt who stays there. Never met her before." A soft moan made the older twin looked down - Shizuka was getting up from his nap. "Have we reached yet?"
Haruka opened his mouth to answer, but the driver beat him to it. "Soon. Chinatown, correct?"
Shizuka let out a yawn. "Yeah. I wonder what Akemi-san does there? Probably selling ramen." He poked at his brother playfully.
"Shut up."
"What? Shouldn't you be happy to have ramen for three meals every single day? An ideal ramen paradise!"
"Not funny."
The driver was lost at the boys' mock bickering in a foreign tongue - their native language. He cleared his throat. "Anyway...here we are."
The Chinatown in Verthaven wasn't like those the twins had seen in places like Yokohama or Singapore: while the streets had an Asian-esque feel filled with shops selling oriental cuisine and junks complete with neon lights flashing Chinese characters, the buildings seemed newer, modernized, spaced out evenly and not cramped together side by side; the roads were wider, with the paths for people and cars clearly separated. The rain was still pouring heavily; most of them probably had taken heed of the news and were staying indoors, so the place appeared to be deserted. There were a few passers-by, but they didn't stand around for long and seemed to be in a great rush to get home as fast as they could.
The taxi finally pulled up in front of a two-story red brick shophouse flanked by a stylish studio apartment on the left, and a somewhat rundown arcade center on the right. On the shop sign showed four huge characters, '明美清洁', and a smaller word Grimebusters was written beneath the Chinese. Haruka exchanged a look with the younger twin - he was having a bad feeling about this. They paid the driver and alight from the car, gathered up their belongings from the trunk quickly before they dashed to the doorstep of the shophouse, their clothes drenched from the downpour.
Ignoring the 'closed' sign that hung on the glass door, Shizuka pushed it slightly; surprised that it was unlocked, the twins entered without giving it another thought. Once the door was firmly shut behind them, muting the roar from the heavy shower outside. They scanned their new home: the interior was dimly lit by an incandescent lamp hung down from the low ceiling; a long counter split the ground floor into half, giving a decently spacious waiting area, complete with a small round table and three chairs around it, and a wooden bookshelf behind. A metallic vintage spiral staircase was situated before the left side of the counter; the other end was sectioned off with a wall, with a whitewashed door bearing the sign 'FOR STAFF ONLY'.
"Hello? Anyone home?" Shizuka's voice echoed hollowly in the building. After a moment of silence, the twins could hear the muffled sound of approaching footsteps - from above. Akemi Shinoda descended from the stairs, positively beaming at them. "M'boys!" She wore a purple apron over her cream-colored one-piece dress, her chocolate-brown hair tied up in a bun behind her head, her round face accented with light makeup. She was shorter than the Takashiro brothers by at least a head, and they were amused that their plump aunt looked nothing like her older sister, who was willowy and stern.
"Akemi...oba-san," Haruka greeted her awkwardly and winced slightly at the strong bear-hug. He glared at Shizuka, who was laughing silently behind their aunt.
Akemi released the older twin. "This isn't Japan, so drop those stupid honorifics. Just 'Akemi' is fine." She gave another crushing hug to Shizuka. "Anyway, make yourselves home. Dinner isn't ready yet, so you can go unpack your stuffs upstairs first." She arched her eyebrow at their luggages - two large duffel bags, one red (Haruka's) and the other blue (Shizuka's) - and clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "Asami can be so stubborn sometimes. Took her long enough to realize she can't drag you kids around the globe forever."
They followed Akemi up the stairway. Upon reaching the top, the furnishing was completely different from the simplicity down below: two posh armchairs and odd beanies scattered around the velvet-red carpeted floor of the living room; it's fenced off from the dining area with a short metal rail decorated with flowers and vines, and the brothers could smell the aroma of roasted ham from the kitchen behind. The small balcony before them faced a Chinese restaurant across the road, and the outside was still drizzling. She pointed at the two doors on the opposite side of the dining area - the left had a small decorative wooden board pinned on it with the name 'Akemi' written in hiragana, and the other was 'Haru & Shizu'. "I'm sorry that I don't have much rooms here, so you guys will have to share a bedroom. If you need me I'll be in the kitchen." With that, she headed for the dining area, leaving the two boys on their own.
Once their aunt was out of sight, Shizuka turned to his brother. "The unpacking can wait - we're probably going to stay here for a long time - so why don't we go out and explore our new 'home'?"
"But the rain---" Haruka began, his eyes darted to the kitchen uncertainly, but Shizuka cut him off, jerking his head at the balcony. "---Has already stopped." Indeed, the sky was beginning to clear up. "Come on." He threw their bags into the room and dragged the unwilling twin down the stairs.
"Hey, let's at least change out of these wet clothes first!"
That day, on normal circumstances, they would be a flurry of limbs trying to keep up with the rush of children leaping and bounding to get a taste of the Candy Shack’s soft served ice cream. With the comings and goings of all affairs sordid, many parents sought to lock their children up in their houses forever if they could have it their way. Those who did come came solo, whether it be by skipping school or grabbing a cone and hanging out by the van to finish it so their guardians wouldn’t know they made a detour on the way home.
But even those were few.
The rain was ever-pouring, and at this rate, beginning to flood the streets with an inch or two inch deep pool, prompting the Candy Shack to take its drives ever so slowly, so that they wouldn’t hydroplane into the nearest telephone pole.
The three Dreadnaughts kept themselves busy, however, in helping Eyes analyze new data from recent events. Including all that was covered by the news, and the ones that weren’t. Whatever that metal-faced, electricity shooting thing was, either NEST or the press didn’t want its information being released. The last thing the people needed to hear was that there’s a meta-human super weapon. Baron would love to sit down and have a session with it, to get an idea of how their psychological state was. Isaiah was on the fence whether he wanted to learn all of its capabilities or simply destroy it. Grit just thought it was awesome that there was a robot fight.
Between it, the battle in the middle of the city, and the non-stop rain, there was definitely some work to be done. There was light that had to be shed. So far, most of what could be gleaned from the weather was that it wasn’t natural. Anything more than that was up to speculation, because the field of meta-humans was none of their specialties. That said, forcing weather patterns in an isolated location, keeping it raining, is bound to have devastating after effects of the region’s climate. Without a doubt, after this all blows over, they better take in as much water as they could. They were predicting a severe drought.
There was of course nothing that could be done about that. Not like what could be done with NEST’s battles. While mostly unconcerned with their matters, it did take some restraint from lending a hand. Especially the battle with Hands of Science super weapon, whose origin they were currently trying to track. A phone began ringing.
Washe, with a pen weaved through his fingers, pinched his brows even tighter. Grit didn’t even budge, since an open book was placed over his face and he was already fast asleep. Baron reached into his pocket with a sigh. Looking at the caller ID, he immediately frowned.
“It is agent Lihua Vuhong.”
“Fuck her, let’s get back to work.” Washe muttered.
“She never calls.”
“Good, let’s keep it that way.”
“She only knows this as an emergency number, Washe.”
“Good fucking God, you want to leap to her rescue?”
“I didn’t intend to. What I can do is lead her to believe I’m unavailable, and at least answer questions if she has any.”
Washe rolled his eyes and hit a button by the radio interface, and immediately, the atmospheric sound of chatter was played. Café life. Baron cleared his throat and answered the phone, “Bonjour, comment allez-vous? Jean Montague.”
“Mr. Moreau, can we arrange for a meeting? I need to talk to you about something.”
“Oh, ma chéri! I’m sorry, I am in France at the moment.” Baron fibbed. Washe just watched Baron work his magic, always impressed, but also disgusted with how smooth of a liar the man was. “I will be, ah, assessing an archaeological dig. We’ll be delving into a historical breakthrough, and general Jean-Pierre Bosser will be present at the event, who’ll be personally providing security.”
The way Baron stressed his words indicated that he may have been speaking in code. That perhaps this dig wasn’t looking for bones and rocks, but working together to perform a surprise blitzkrieg upon whatever hostile force that may have been plaguing France at this time.
In reality, it was a total farce; but Baron could play anyone like a fiddle.
“I do have some time to answer a question or two though, mademoiselle.”
Trevor emerged from the water, he flopped his hair backwards. His blue eyes gazed forward as a grin came up on his face. He spotted a group of girls that had to be around his age. Their sole parental guardian - a older woman with black hair that just had to be their mother - walked off, back to their car. Which meant that Trevor had the perfect chance to score! He looked down at his black swim trunks to make sure that nothing embarrassing happens (Again). Hmph. Everything was perfect and where it should be. It's time for him to score.
He put a confident look on his face, before he stepped over to them. "Heeeeeeeey ladies," He said as he came to a halt, putting his hands on his sides. "How are you doing? Enjoying the beeeeeeeeee...." Trevor had to drag out the last letter because he was somewhat surprised.
The beautiful sunny sky had turned grey, and heavy rain fell on the beach. In less than a second.
A second.
The girls scattered and ran off, quickly grabbing their towel, umbrella, and other possessions, before running off.
Leaving Trevor there, disappointed that he didn't even get the opportunity to get rejected.
This is what true blue balls felt like.
"Scarlet!" Trevor's voice echoed through their kind beach house as he pushed through the door. Salt water dripping from his black swim trunks - well, that's somewhat incorrect since the rain washed off some of the salt water. No shoes - or even socks! - he was walking barefoot through the house and getting water everywhere.
"Yeah, Trev?" Scarlet said, lying down on the couch reading a book. Wearing a T-shirt, and shorts, reading a book.
"Are your NEST buddies figuring out where this rain is coming from?" Trevor asked, throwing his hands up, exasperated. "This is supposed to be a sunny city!"
"Um, I don't know...." Scarlet's eyes drifted down the side. "I'm still a private, y'know? That's... Agent level stuff, you know."
"Well, yeah...." Trevor crossed his arms. "But look outside! It's gloom. While it's raining, there ain't no passio...." Trevor threw his arms in the direction of the nearest window - but outside was all sunshine. The rain had completely stopped, and the sun had pushed through the clouds. Other than the rain forming puddles on the street, everything was the way it was a few seconds ago.
"Oh." Trevor shrugged. Disappointed that he got all riled up for that speech. "Well, everyone left the beach, so...."
"Just stay in. Relax a bit." Scarlet said, shrugging.
"Where's Titty Monster?" Trevor asked.
"Hey, I told you not to call her that." Scarlet said. "I don't know."
"But ain't this your house?" Trevor asked. "Shouldn't you know where your guests are?"
"Fuck you Trevor," Lucille said breaking the silence she had made when she entered the house. "I went out to buy food for dinner." Her clothes were soaked. She was caught in the rain half way home.
"It's two o'clock." Trevor noted, raising his phone in the air. "Who the hell buys dinner at two o'clock?" He eyeballed her soaked clothes. To his misfortune, it was not white shirt - she still had a great rack, though.
"Let's see who laugh last after I make omelet with bacon."
"I'll make one myself." Trevor crossed his arms. Though, he had a little comment to make. "... Or you weren't really getting dinner, and went to go makeout with your new girlfriend?" Trevor started laughing. He closed his eyes, and imitated Lucille's voice, "Oh Cindy! Save me! Save me! I'll love you forever!"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Lucy rolled her eyes away from him.
"Oh? I bet you didn't think anyone would notice you staring at her ass all the time." Trevor crossed his arms, and gave Lucy a smug look. Like she's can hide this.
"As I remember, you're the one who was staring!"
"Least I'm not tryna to hide it."
"I'm putting poison in your food tonight." She said heading toward the kitchen just before her face get all flushed.
"Well, I'm going to eat that right up because that ain't going to do anything to me. Remember?" He pointed both thumbs at himself. "Mr. Immune, speaking!"
"I found pepper!" She yelled from the kitchen.
"I know where you sleep!"
"Guys, guys, enough...." Scarlet put her book down, and threw her hands up. She just couldn't take this anymore. She put the book on the table, and stood straight up. "Trevor?How about we go to Chinatown and hang out for a bit? Get some sushi later." It'd be a good way to spend her day off from training.
"Well, anything that'd save me from Lucy Mctits' wrath....."
"Trevor!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get dressed." Trevor ran up the stairs with a stupid smile on his face.
"Same here."
Trevor stepped out of his room, fully dressed, and showered. All the saltwater has been washed off, and he was fresh, so clean. He was wearing a blue and black flannel shirt, with jeans (Underneath his jeans, he had his knife concealed). He wore his good old timberland boots. Of course, due to that dangerous power of his, he wore a blue scarf that had a mask underneath it to make sure that he doesn't contaminate the air or something.
Feeling like a million bucks, Trevor scrolled down the stairs. Once he reached the bottom stair, he shouted out to Lucy, "Alright, we're leaving! You can sniff Scarlet's underwear now!" Before he dove out the front door like the little shit he is.
"I'm going throw a party here! All the girls, all mine!" For a moment she realized how weird the last line sounded. She sounded like that weird lil' dude from Lord of the Rings. Except weirder.
By some miracle, Scarlet had already gotten dressed, and everything prepared.
He heard the roar of Scarlet's red motorcycle, and once he stepped out the door, he saw Scarlet leaning against her motorcycle. Holding her helmet in hands, and Trevor's purple helmet was resting on the seat. Scarlet herself was wearing jeans, and a velvet buttonup dress-shirt. Her red hair was tied up into a neat bun. She had a purse under her arm, and she wore motorcycle gloves.
"You ready?" Scarlet asked.
Trevor ran up, "You know it!" Before he hopped up on the back of the motorcycle. Scarlet herself sat down on the side, before revving the motorcycle's engines. They tore off into the streets of Verthaven with a bang.
It was a little bit of a trip - mainly because Scarlet went through Knightdale Rows to avoid the Union Point Hills - but they arrived. Scarlet pulled them into a parking spot, and both of them stepped off.
"We're here." Scarlet said, shrugging as she stopped to lock up the bike. Before she stopped and grabbed a umbrella. She threw it to Trevor, "Here, take this. In case it rains."
The umbrella nearly slipped out of his hands, he quickly caught it, and grinned. He threw it over his shoulder like it was a sword. He grinned as he tapped it, "Yeah, yeah. Let's go see some babes!"
"Trevor..." Scarlet just shook her head. "Let's go."
They started walking down the streets of the Chinatown.
Another instance of the strange storms that have been plaguing Verthaven. The rainstorm got fairly intense, creating a fog that was impossible to see through.
Cora Dubois was marching through Union Point Hills to the Haven Cafe. Which is what she always did after a photoshoot. Wearing jeans, and plaid clothing. She pulled out her umbrella (Because cats don't like water) and extended it above her. She crossed a bridge, while people were scrambling for over.
However, a splash came out of the water, as a humanoid - obscured by shadows - came out of the water like it was shot out of a cannon. Cora's enhanced senses picked up on it, but she paid it no mind. Simply considering it to be something falling into one of the many rivers of this city. The humanoid, with long arms, and short legs, grabbed onto the ledges of one of the buildings, and climbed up.
It's glowing purple eye was one of the few things seen through the heavy rain.
It focused on Cora. Singling her out because she was alone.
It's light narrowed almost as if it focused on her. It hopped one of the rooftops, and ran up to the edge. Grabbing onto the ledge, and dropping down. Cora was simply walking and didn't have a single idea of what was going to happen.
When she stepped into the trap, the creature grabbed onto her with strength to yank her into the alleyway effortlessly. Cora let out a few screams, and fought back - but the creature was far stronger than her. It's hands were wrapped around her head, and it grasped her jaw. With one violent twist, it had completely torn her lower jaw off. Her tongue was flopping out as she let out pained screams.
The creature responded by violently hitting her head against the ground. One, two, three.... Cora's skull was shattered. A large indent formed in her head. The creature dropped her dead body, and a pool of blood followed.
However, it wasn't done yet. It walked up, and jammed it's hands into her chest. It ripped open her ribcage, before pulling out her heart, and her lungs. With it's prize in one hand, it leaped up high into the air. Jumping several rooftops before it landed right back into the water and vanished.
The rain vanished...
Meanwhile, just nearby, Marcus was having an early afternoon bike ride to work. Today wasn't a busy day either, and boss lady had let him sleep in, have him come in on the afternoon shift. With a rain slicker on over his tank top and shorts, he plowed through the rain like a machine, a wide smile on his face as he took the route fast 'n loose. The weather today was perfect for some biking, albeit the wet meant his tyres slid more than they gripped but hey that was all part of the fun! His bike was meant for all weather, in all fairness.
As he cycled along towards Haven, he heard a scream. At that, he skidded to a stop. No one else seemed to have heard it at all in the heavy downpour, and it had come from nearby...from a familiar voice...
WIth a spin of his pedals he was off again, but not heading for work. He headed instead for the source of the scream, pedaling at full tilt. As he got closer to the alleyway it came from, he turned in and saw two things: first, a body on the ground, and secondly some sort of...monster leaping up along the sides of the alley, up to the rooftop where it vanished from his sight. He ignored the second sighting and pedaled in towards the body, balancing himself on one pedal as he stopped nearby and hopped off his bike.
"Holy shit..."
At first glance the body didn't ring any bells but her manner of dress was familiar. Didn't help much that the lower half of her face was completely gone. The gore was splattered all around her body, and strands of sinew and tendon hung from her jaw as her sightless eyes stared up into the downpour.
Her eyes. Something even more familiar about her.
Marcus looked around the alleyway. No witnesses or anything. Just the poor lady and that...thing that vanished just a second ago.
She had a satchel bag, and he rummaged around through that to find some identification. He found her wallet in there and popped it open. The name he found within sent a chill straight down his spine.
Cora Dubois. The photographer that visited Haven regularly. Caramel latte, extra caramel, extra cream, sprinkling of brown sugar on top.
"Oh shit, Cora- "
He dropped the wallet as he scrambled away from the body of the woman he once knew by drink order, hands trembling. Marcus slowly reached for his phone, even as the realisation of what had happened sunk in.
Cindy groaned as she stood before the sight that was her good friend Jolene's car, a 2003 Mercury Sable. The windshield was smashed in by a brick, and it had offensive words and phrases spraypainted on the sides. Along with being keyed. Cindy put her hands on her hips while giving her friend Jolene a narrow look - who returned it with an awkward smile.
"I told you that you need to stop fucking with those kinds of boys. You only got one car, and they fucked it up."
"I know, I know..." Jolene awkwardly said.
After the whole thing at the beach, Cindy decided to lay low for a little bit. She's been keeping up with the news, the war with REAPER was starting to get a little intense. So, she figured that she'd keep to herself much as possible. Shit was a little wild. She really messed up that man's hand... but he deserved it just a little. Cindy let out a sigh. A problem that was cropping up was all the rain that was going on. Like, shit. Too much damn rain. Nobody wanted to go outside - she couldn't play tennis with anyone. She could only hang out with her multitude of friends and hope they don't rope her into something stupid. Though a part of the girl suspected that something else was out there. Someone's behind all this rain. She just hoped that NEST could get to the bottom of it before she got dragged into it.
She felt a raindrop hit her in the head.
... Speak of the devil.
"Hurry up, Cindy!" Jolene put her hands on her head, ruffing through her dyed strawberry blonde, and light-pink hair. "My car's about to get soaked!"
"Alright, I got this!" Cindy said as she raised her hands in the air. She willed the broken pieces of glass that scattered all over the seats to fly up into the air. Rainfall came down a little harder, fortunately the hyalokinetic managed to form a - albeit cracked - pane of glass that quickly merged together, and formed one solid pane. Completely repaired her car... but knowing Jolene, that ain't going to last long. So, Cindy decided to add a little something extra to it. She put her hand on the windshield, and started dispensing glass. Pouring the glass into the windshield, and created two separate layers of glass. One hard and dense, and another soft. Effectively turning her windshield into bulletproof glass. She released her slippery hand from the glass.
Cindy quickly turned around back towards Jolene, and she put her hands on her hips. "Alright, I fixed it. I also made it a little tougher just in case you do something else to piss them all off." She rolled her eyes.
"Thank you, Cindy!" Jolene said. She looked at Cindy's completely soaked top, and just had to comment, "Uh, maybe you should have made an umbrella first?"
Cindy looked down, and shook her head. God damn it. She'll probably be freezing her tits off if this rain keeps up. Thank God her jean shorts didn't get touched by water even in the slightest. Her eyes peered up at Jolene, and she gave her friend a narrow glare. "... It's good, it's good." She said, annoyed. She knew that she was coming off as a little passive aggressive, but, with Jolene, it barely mattered. She raised her hand in the air to create a glass umbrella... but the rain suddenly stopped. Cindy raised her eyebrow and gave the sky a narrow look. "Would ya' make up your mind?" She asked no one in particular, annoyed.
"Well, at least you don't have to worry about your top getting anymore wet."
"Oh shut up." Cindy rolled her eyes. "I'll just have to head back to my crib to get changed." She looked down again, and said, "Nah, I'll be fine." She laughed a little bit, before she raised her head and looked back up at Jolene, "How about you? Wanna hang out at the Candy Club?"
"I can't... I have to find a soap manipulating Metahuman to wash this spraypaint off my car. Ha." Jolene joked as she opened the door to her car. "Maybe later - but I'll talk to you later!" She turned the keys in her ignition, before driving off.
"Hey, wait!" Cindy put her hand out, before shaking her head. God damn it. All Jolene wanted was her damn power. Nothing else. It made Cindy feel so used. She watched as Jolene drove off and just had to resist the urge to decrease the density of the windshield. She closed her eyes and said to herself, "No, no... let it go. Just make her pay you next time."
That meant that it was time for Cindy to skip along. She quickly walked over to her scooter, and grabbed onto her white helmet. She put it on her head - her brown afro-puffs poking out from underneath it - and got up on her scooter. She turned the keys and revved it's little engine! Cindy loved this thing! It was the best Christmas present her father ever got her (Even though she could have gotten a newer model, this one was great for traversing the streets of Verthaven).
Cindy was off. She reached the streets of Verthaven and was zipping around on her scooter. She had no idea where she was going - so much to do in Verthaven, and she can't find anything. What a sad, sad situation. Well, she was in Knightdale Rows, and the Candy Club wasn't that far away. She could probably hang out there, instead of spending all day in her apartment... or getting used by her friends.
The white came to a stop right outside the Candy Club, Cindy stepped off of it and walked up. Good thing that she's a de-facto employee, and gets her own de-facto employee keys. She put her keys in, and opened the door and exposed the dark as hell space that was this Club. It's only active during the night, so Cindy had it all to herself long as she didn't trash the place.
She flicked the lightswitch, and the lights exposed the Amusement-Park themed, candy-styled, club. Cindy put her hands on her hips as she looked at it.
Well, her dad certainly knew how to pick 'em.
Cindy shrugged as she slid into one of the booths, and laid down on her back. She did the first thing that came to mind, and pulled out her phone. She had a question or two that she wanted to ask Meifeng...
yo, Meifeng, ur mom hasnt called me lately 2 watch li. What's up? I need cash.
A few minutes later, Meifeng replied.
I dont know. she's ben home drinkin al dam week. Sumthing's up.
Well, damn it.
er thing cool
cant say it is
wanna hang out
maybe later i'm playin a game
oh that's surprising
shaddup
With that, Cindy finished their text exchange. Now, she was wondering who she could text next.
The solemn pattering of raindrops hitting dimly lit pavement had quickly turned to a light downpour in the mostly abandoned streets of Verthaven's Iron District. Even those with business to be out and about at such an ungodly hour certainly would go about it with haste, or not at all when the weather took such an unfortunate turn for the worst. Such an empty street might even be seen as serene if this town's nights weren't so often fraught with danger.
In disregard to this supposed danger and taking shelter from the unnatural rain, Wyatt Abrahms sits upon the 12th Avenue bus stop bench. Under cover of a fairly large awning he was certainly content to stay here and keep shelter from the rain slapping at the sidewalk in front of him. The only striking thing about this night compared to any other was just how... boring it was for him.
His normal habit while waiting for the 6 o'clock bus from 12th to his place of employment in Chinatown, a distance not very difficult to walk for someone with the amount of time he has on his hands; but the act of taking the bus strikes him as quaint, was to 'people-watch'. Observing the early-morning denizens of the Iron District as they lived their varied and distinct lives. This was normally just watching the large variety of gangs harass people, the drug sellers meeting with their common junkies, or -most interestingly- the normal people that needed to be somewhere in a hurry as their lives took a surprising turn. Imagining the struggles of others was so captivating for Wyatt that he eschewed the normal comforts of his home, not that there were many comforts to be had, to sit on a wet bench and wait three hours for his bus.
All this only makes it sadder that no one felt like braving the rain today; though he really couldn't blame them.
With a heavy sigh, Wyatt turned his eyes from the dark, water-clogged street to the incessant flickering streetlamp some couple of feet to his right. Its flickering flashes of light, while merely a minor annoyance to any normal passerby, left Wyatt a bit restless in his current position. The electricity, normally a quite hum of temptation, was currently screeching at him through some poorly insulated wiring. The restless energy was just begging him to come taste of it's nectar.
Though truly tempting, Wyatt hasn't managed to live in modern society by being weak-willed. Unlike those average passerbys, I was always confronting my demons in the form of these delicious, oh so tasty, easy to consume, just a few joules won't h-- Wait no. Where was I?
With a couple of slaps to his cheeks, he had refocused on the task at hand! Waiting... three hours for the bus... With a long face harrowed by insomnia and the never ending buzzing of the god-damn streetlamp he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "It's going to be a long day.."
"Did you hear me, Abe?"
"Huh? Oh sorry. I uh, can you repeat that for me?", Wyatt muttered while taking a moment to wipe his bleary eyes. Today at the cleaners had been so slow, with only a few people coming in for drop offs and no deliveries scheduled until later this afternoon. Getting his bearings about him once more, he looked back over at the woman standing across from him that he had supposedly been in a conversation with.
Akemi Shinoda was by all intents and purposes a quiet, quaint woman. She was a good foot or so shorter than Wyatt and quite a bit plumper. She was fairly youthful looking with her brown hair done up in a bun today and she had a small amount of makeup on. She was his boss and owner of 'Asian Word - Grimebusters' or something, never thinking to ask what the first part actually says. When working in Chinatown, you kind of get used to places being named in Chinese.
She had taken up my offer to work for her and didn't even question my lack of credentials to back up my alias. Though certainly not in a position to refuse the job, it made me a bit worried about what kind of person would actually hire me; I was certain I wouldn't hire himself if that was an option, that's for sure. But it could also be said I am mildly paranoid, and a large amount of these thoughts came down to his wild mind making judgements off the people I meet.
All-in-all though her face was scrunched up with frustration at this point, she was usually quite kind.
She began anew after gaining his attention, "You can head home early after you make today's deliveries."
In a bout of confusion and a little insecurity about his most recent lapse of attention, Wyatt was all to quick to sputter out a response, "That isn't necessary Ms. Shinoda! I know I was a bit out of it earlier, but I can still my job. I promise I can stay awake."
Akemi seemed a bit taken back by his sudden defense, before she began to laugh softly and wave his concerns off, "No-no this isn't about -that-. Though you should take care to sleep more, you don't look very well. We are closing the store early because my nephews are coming to stay from overseas today. I want to make sure they are all set and settled in tonight."
After a moments hesitation, Wyatt joined the earlier mirth and they shared a moment of mutual laughter. Feeling a bit silly after jumping to conclusions earlier, he was quick to excuse himself after a few words of agreement, "Of course, of course! I will be out of sight out of mind shortly. I will go gather up the orders then." Akemi seemed to want to say something more, but Wyatt had already excused himself to the back of the store.
A long while passed before he had managed to get all the cleaned clothes together and placed in their plastic sleeves for transport. As he began stacking them to carry them easier, he began to hear muffled conversation on the other side of the counter.
"Akemi...oba-san,"
"This isn't Japan, so drop those stupid honorifics. Just 'Akemi' is fine... Anyway, make yourselves home. Dinner isn't ready yet, so you can go unpack your stuffs upstairs first... Asami can be so stubborn sometimes. Took her long enough to realize she can't drag you kids around the globe forever."
Wyatt gathered up the clothes and waited on the other side of the door until the conversation came to a clothes to slip out the door to the front of the shop. Glancing to the spiral staircase to his right that lead to the upper floor, he managed to catch the backs of two young men that looked strikingly similar from the back ascending the staircase.
Hastily pushing his way onto the street, certainly not wishing to interrupt any family business, he quickly found his day become rather free. The busy street full of vendors and rather loud pedestrians was quite the contrast with the quiet street that started this day. Despite this, as the drops upon the back of his grey beanie began, the rain seemed to have stayed consistent. Rain aside and with no obligations, except the stack of clothes in his arms, he set off with the idea of finding something interesting and some food. Not necessarily in that order.
That was the first thing that came out of Lihua's mouth. Probably not the best way to start off their conversation, but if he was willing to answer a few questions, then she had no choice but to press on.
"Have you ever been to Quebec?"
"I've never been to Canada."
"Yes, well, some of us speak French there."
"Oh.... pi- Oh."
The wine that Meifeng spilled had already formed a puddle on the ground, and Lihua was personally debating whether she should get some more. She merely let out a sigh as she decided to focus on the matter at hand, just talking to Baron. Even if they weren't particularly... romantic, Lihua at least considered him a friend. Though she just couldn't get a solid read on him like she could anyone else in this city. Something she has little experience in. She was hoping that he felt the same way - enough to have a chat with her.
"You are a psychologist, right?" Lihua asked. Of course this was selfish, and Baron had every damn right to hang up the phone right now and get some . "I could use a little he- I mean someone to talk to, if you can spare the time. Thing's... aren't looking that good from my end." Was all Lihua was willing to spare.
"Huh..." Baron muttered to himself. He took a glance at Washe before turning back to talk on the phone. "Well, begin whenever you're ready."
She was a bit disappointed they couldn't meet in person - since Lihua always preferred a face to face conversation - but there was that sneaking suspicion that he was lying to her. He did tell her that this conflict involved more than just the Fiends, after all. Why would he just up and leave if he said that? If she had a better grip of herself, she would investigate.
Truthfully, what the Dreadnaughts were up to, at the moment, were none of her concern.
It took a little bit of pride swallowing for her to begin, but she figured that she'd start from the top. "There was this little operation that NEST partook in against a certain group of baby kidnappers known as the Changeling Unit." She wondered if she should admit whether or not it was her child that was taken - but at this point, she barely cared since she was probably the laughing stock of NEST (They know she can't protect her children). "... They took my other daughter." She let out a sigh, before she continued. "I got the man behind it to admit it, and reveal the location of their hideout."
"NEST raided their hideout and dispatched them relatively easy - retrieving all the children they have kidnapped, but once we had their leaders cornered...." Lihua paused again, wondering how she should phrase this. That thing haunted her. Why it was haunting her she was trying to find out. "I don't know what happened, but this metallic... creature appeared out of no where and came to their rescue. It slaughtered two squads of Agents, and left many more injured."
"A metallic creature?" Baron questioned with a certain degree of intrigue and shock. He looked at Washe. They both knew about this, or at least, heard about it. Siphoned data from reports, but it did sound like a different story when hearing it first hand from a survivor. The words they use, and the connotations attatched to them, had much greater impact than objective observation. Two squads of NEST agents. Slaughtered. Like how a farmer would cull chickens and cows.
"Eventually... It came down to me and it." Lihua said. "I... tried my best, but it...." She was trying to power through this, but why was she sounding so weak? Everyone who met her known her as a fortress, but this? "... It nearly killed me... I was saved by reinforcements."
"And right when I get back to base, I immediately get suspended for injuring another Agent during the fight." Lihua admitted it - it was shameful, but it was her responsibility. She wasn't the type to make up excuses, or lie. "Every since I got back home... I don't know, I've constantly been thinking about what it said to me. Having dreams about it."
Lihua closed her eyes for a moment, before she came out and said, "I think I'm losing it."
Baron made the sound of a rueful sigh over his side of the phone. Over a brief moment of silence, he began talking again.
"We're over the phone, so I can't write this down as an professional diagnosis, but to me it sounds like post-traumatic stress disorder."
PTSD... Lihua sighed. Of all the things she survived, of everything that happened, this is what causes her to fall apart? It angered her, but it is it what it is. She just needs a little help - even though she hates to admit it. For a moment, she thought about stopping to grab herself a drink - but Meifeng was right. She can't drink her life away.
"I..." Lihua was at a loss for words. She let out a sigh, and put her hand on her forehead. Her eyes focused on the table she was sitting at. "How do I cope with this?" She asked.
"I can do some digging and see if I can recommend you a specialist in psycho and cognitive therapy in your area." Baron said. "I'm sure there are some fine occupational therapists in NEST - they just aren't specialists, and not all of the best doctors work with the government. Just know that even if I were the one helping you, it isn't going to be easy. It's a long road. The disorder is never truly cured."
"I understand." Lihua has considered getting therapy before, but never really thought she'd need it up until now. Well, things change - and maybe it's time for her to change. She thought about it a bit, and thought about something concerning PR-1. "Thank you for your help, Baron." She nodded her head. "There's one last thing I wanted to ask you; the thing that nearly killed me, I get the feeling that it's more than just a monster. It's words... I feel like it's a person rather than just a weapon. A metahuman like me. I need some advice as to go about that."
There was also a small part of her that sensed some similarities between herself and it.
Fascinating. This wasn't too far off from what he wanted to look into and study. The psychology of metahumans, and of their societies, that which also poses a moral question. Are they human? Perhaps he had no right to say they weren't - besides, in doing so, he'd concede that neither was he (still a thought he couldn't get used to). He already asked himself questions should his study come to this point.
"Tell me this: do you believe in magic or mythical monsters? Medusa, Big Foot?" Baron asked.
"... With some of the stuff I've seen on the job, anything's possible." Lihua replied.
"Well, I don't." He asserted. "As far as I'm concerned, anything can be explained logically whether we're yet able to or not. The meta-human condition has been insisted upon as a scientific and natural phenomenon, and we have no reason to believe otherwise. Some of the events so far witnessed are outlandish and fantastical, but they're real. I believe in the condition. I don't believe in metal men. Advanced artificial intelligence has not been invented yet. What's left? What's the verdict so far?"
Mr. Moreau was correct. Metahumans are a strange and confusing phenomenon, and it was unlikely that anyone was going to figure out what they are, where they came from, and why they exist in the first place.
"Listen, Lihua." Baron began. "True evil isn't real. People can commit atrocities and do terrible things after they rationalize it. If you want to get cut into their motivation, find out how they rationalize their actions. People aren't born sinners."
"I... understand." Lihua spoke in a more assured tone. As Baron spoke, she thought about what she should do. How she should handle this problem of hers. It was risky, but she was willing to risk it so that she doesn't fall apart. Though, she had to resist the urge to note how similar Baron and PR-1 sound right now. Frightening. She still understood it well.
"Thank you again, Baron. I now know exactly what I must do." Lihua nodded her head. "Goodbye-" She tried to say, but Baron had something to say.
"Excusez-moi, one last thing, miss."
"Yes?"
"Jean Montague."
Lihua laughed a little bit. "... That answers one question." There was the full possibility that he was lying again.
"Laisse tomber... that's an out-dated and dangerous callsign."
"Well, your secret is safe with me." Lihua said, nearly playfully. I'll just add it to the evergrowing list. She hung up the phone, and put it facedown on the table.
Lihua let out a sigh, and realized that she has a lot of work to do. For starters, she'll have to get in contact with Maximilian soon as possible. She fully expected him to hate her, but she was hoping to appeal to him somehow.
Chinatown was bustling with life the moment the peculiar rain was gone: crowds were beginning to fill the pavements, the shops were opening their doors to welcome their customers, and soon the town was back to its usual vibrant self, as if the storm had never happened. The ominous dark clouds had mostly disappeared, leaving with just a few spots of fluffy white scattered across the clear, azure sky.
However, Shizuka Takashiro couldn't relax one bit. Ever since the twins changed out of their wet clothing (now he's wearing a black hoodie - bearing a slogan 'MAKE LOVE' on the front and 'NOT WAR' on the back - with a white tee underneath, loose-fitting khaki pants, and striped sneakers; Haruka had checkered teal dress shirt, light-blue jeans, and black leather shoes), he had been on pins and needles. He still felt uneasy, a foreboding sensation was gnawing somewhere deep inside him. The hairs on his skin were on their ends, like tiny strings pulling tautly on his body, putting him on high alert. He stopped suddenly to study his surroundings again, and this caused the older twin - who was bringing up the rear - to bump into his back.
"You okay?" Shizuka could catch the underlying irritation in the older twin's quiet voice - it's already the third time he had walked into his brother. Haruka rubbed his nose gingerly. "What's up with you?"
Shizuka scanned the crowd once more and shrugged, pulling the hood lower over his head. "Nothing. Probably just--- Wait, isn't that a freaking Honda CBR250R?"
"Oi, don't try to change the topic, you moron!"
Leaving the annoyed Haruka behind, Shizuka jogged towards the bright-red bike parked on the side of the road and whistled. "Well, this baby isn't as great as a Kawasaki Ninja when it comes to raw speed and power, but it's still a pretty badass monster in its own right."
"Whatever you say. Uh, Shizu?" Haruka tapped on his brother's shoulders. "I think we should leave."
"Why?"
He tilted his head, gesturing at two approaching figures. "Seems like the owners are coming back for it."
"...Well, we're off to a great start, aren't we." Trevor threw his hands behind his head, and looked at Scarlet. He had a cheeky look on his face.
"I just forgot something, let's---" Scarlet stopped the second she saw some kids staring at her bike. Not that she particularly thought they were up to something - it was a nice bike.
Trevor merely smirked. They were just his age! He could probably handle this better than Scarlet. "Looks like your fanclub just got a little larger." He chuckled. "I got this."
The boy knew exactly what to do. He walked up to them, with a grin on his face that was obscured by the scarf around his face. "Heeeeeya fellas!" He said, getting up in between them. "Like what you see, boys? 'Fraid I'm going have to say that we're not giving out any free rides."
Haruka frowned when one of the approached pair - who wore a muffler that covered the bottom half of the face - suddenly squeezed himself (or herself, he mused) between the twins. "S-Sorry, we're just...uh, passing by." He cursed inwardly when he realized how stupid he must have sounded; he had accidentally layered a strange accent over his voice and that made him seem almost like a stereotypical Japanese who's trying to speak English. He moved over to Shizuka's side and reached out a hand to tug at the sleeve of his brother's hoodie. "Let's go." He had yanked too hard, which jerked off the hood and revealed the younger Takashiro's graying hair.
Shizuka wasn't bothered by the older twin's clumsiness. "What a shame. I don't mind that big sister there to take me out for a spin on this, though." His eyes were still fixated on the sleek bike. "Damn, this engine is wicked stuff..."
These two were pretty damn awkward. Trevor could just smell the confidence problems. (Over his own, odd, chemical odor, even!) His stupid little grin was hidden underneath the scarf, but he had to work his ass off to avoid busting out laughing. Only quiet laughter came out of his mouth.
Haruka let out a frustrated sigh. He adjusted the collar of his dress shirt and gave the owners a strained smile. "I'm really sorry about this, girls. We'll leave now."
"Girl?" Trevor questioned. Putting his hand over his mouth to contain the laughter. "Don't let the pretty face fool ya, partners. I'm all man where it counts." He started laughing. Just to prove his point, Trevor pulled the scarf down a bit to expose his male - yet androgynous - face.
Scarlet facepalmed.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't have to leave so quickly." Trevor said as he put his scarf back, and tightly wrapped it around his face. "I'm going to take a shot when I say that you two are new to this wonderful city."
Haruka's cheeks went scarlet: first the weird accent that spilled out of his mouth, and now an embarrassing gender mix-up. He also didn't know if he should laugh or cry at his twin's indifference at the (rather obvious) sexual innuendo. The whole awkward situation was making the introverted older teen more nervous than usual. "Y-Yeah, we're new," he replied to the boy with a shrug. "Just moved in," he added as an afterthought. That was when he received a warning look from Shizuka. "Now what, bike nerd?"
"Well, just making sure you don't ramble on and tell him where we're staying at now. Oh, and I didn't know you're into girly boys."
The older Takashiro rolled his eyes. "Shut up." He wasn't going to tell him that he had unrequited feelings only for his stupid twin.
"Anyway, I don't quite trust them yet, so I'm counting on you to keep up being my Engrish interpreter, dear brother."
"Bastard." Wondering what Shizuka was up to for continuing this 'act', Haruka returned his attention back to Scarf Boy. "So... I'm Haru, and this is Shizu. How about you?"
Trevor couldn't even stop laughing. He had to cover his mouth! They understood exactly what he meant, and that was the best part. He looked up at them with his pretty blue eyes. Though, he had to raise an eyebrow when they started talking in Chinese, or Korean, or whatever. Trevor didn't know.
Haru... Shizu... Jesus Christ. Trevor won't be able to remember these names. He bet that they were actually even longer but he was going to try his best. Well, at least he could introduce himself. He put his hands behind his head. "Me? I'm Trevor Obott. Boy wonder." He started laughing.
Scarlet calmly waved. Getting over the embarrassment of his joke. "Scarlet. His older sister."
These two seemed like outstanding individuals. Maybe they could be fun to hang out with. Add them to the clique! "So...you two fine young gentlemen need to be shown around Verthaven?" He asked. "I can tell you this now: this city's incredible! Full of some of the best people you'll ever meet, and beaches full of booty for miles." He swiped his hand across the air above him.
Scarlet facepalmed again.
Haruka was amused at the young man's - Trevor's - introduction. He remembered the conversation he had with the taxi driver. Metahumans. People with superpowers. Stealing a quick glance at Shizuka (to find him bowing slightly at their new...'friends'), he pursed his thin lips, determined to keep the promise and not to say anything else unnecessary. He then nodded at the pair. "A guide to show us around would be great, I guess."
Shizuka didn't seem to object Haruka for accepting the invitation; instead, this time he was staring from Trevor to Scarlet. "'Booty', huh? Did we just befriend a shameless pervert? I hope he doesn't try to convince me to go around preying on bikini girls."
Ignoring his brother's comment, Haruka said to Trevor, "So I've heard. Some call this place a 'City of Possibilities'?"
"Yeah. All sorts of... 'Possibilities'." Trevor kept that toothy smile on his face as he put his hands on his hips. "Like..." He thought for a moment, scratching the back of his neck as he thought about it. "Uh, fun? There's loads of fun in the beaches. And there's... Uhhh..." Trevor thought about it a little harder. "Know what? This is something that you'll have to fun out for yourself."
"Right." Feeling a little distracted with his own thoughts (mostly concerning Shizuka's 'ghostly' power, as he liked to call it), he held out his arm. "Show the way then."
Working for NEST was tiring, especially given recent events and after a long day out Quentin wanted nothing more than to grab a shower and a cool drink to wind down, maybe refresh himself with another session of Terminator. Heading back home, he was just about to twist the key in the door to his apartment when he realised it wouldn’t turn any further. “Huh,” he muttered, fiddling with the handle. Oddly enough, it opened. Quentin quickly paused, looking over his shoulder, then listened carefully for any noise coming from inside. Nothing, though the kitchen light was on.
Silently drawing a pistol out from beneath his jacket, he slowly stepped inside, wedging the door open to avoid alerting anyone who might’ve been inside. He hugged the wall, weapon at the ready - these fuckers wouldn’t get the drop on him this time. It was only when he spotted the faint reflection in the window across the room that he recognised the old man.“Oh, fuck-” He quickly holstered the gun back under his jacket before he was noticed. “Cass? How’d you get inside?”
“You don’t call for months and that’s how you want to say hello?” Uncle Cassius had helped himself to a bottle of coke out of the fridge and had an eyebrow arched as he grilled his nephew. “Yeah, yeah, it’s good to see you, but - you didn’t answer my question.” Cass snorted, amused at his nephew’s apparent short-term memory and dangled a blank key above his coke. “You forgot you gave me a spare? Nevermind. I know you’ve had a lot going on, working for NEST takes its toll, just like my work, huh?”
Quentin didn’t even care about how Cass had found out - probably through one of his well-informed colleagues in the VPD if not by himself, but the look on his face told that he’d not expected it. No point hiding anything now, it seemed. He grabbed a beer from the fridge, pulled up a chair and popped the cap off with a firm twist and almost broke it in half in the process. Shit, he’d forgotten his own strength lately. “And you know about what I am? Did you ever figure out I was one of them?” Cass took a moment to answer that, swigging from his own bottle for a brief moment.
“....I don’t know. I heard rumours but I didn’t want to believe any of it. It was a different time back then, y’know? NEST, metahumans, it was all new and frightening to people back then. People didn't understand it like they do now. Look, Quentin, I wanted you to have control over your own life and make your own decisions. Why the hell’d you think I was so rough on that punk who had you working on the corner when I found out what happened to your mom?”
Quentin swilled from his bottle, shrugging. “Guess it didn’t make much of a difference in the end. The alternate to joining NEST would’ve probably been worse. Besides, I guess I get a couple benefits out of it. The pay’s pretty good for what it is and it saves a lot of legal legwork.”
“Like weapon permits?” Cass snorted with amusement. “I’m almost jealous. Remember when Dwight tried getting that StG Fourty-Four grandfathered in whilst searching through his old man’s attic?” It’d been a while, but Quentin vaguely remembered Cass’ old partner who’d often stopped by and headed to the range with him for some downtime every other week. “Yeah, a real shitshow,” he chuckled “How’s he doing, by the way?”
“Still working at the academy as a training officer. Actually, we’re meeting up at the range next weekend to pit his P08 against my C96 to try and end our career-long argument over which is better.” Both of them chuckled at that one. “Shit, when’s the last time we spoke like this? Just a good, long conversation, man-to-man. I just wish your brother was here, too. I know you and Reed have your differences but he's still your family-”
Quentin was quick to cut him off. “I've tried enough times to settle shit with him yet he's always got that judgemental tone. Look, Cass - I've always been grateful for when you took us in. I know it wasn't easy - but he was too young to understand that I was the one who practically raised him whilst Mom spent her last days in and out of consciousness. I'm the one who made sure he was fed and clothed whilst half our money was blown on booze. I at least brought something to the table. It’s convenient for him to act self-righteous when he’s never had to deal with any of that shit-”
It was Cass’ turn to cut in. “That’s not true. You know he means well, even if he doesn’t always show it. But... yeah, you’re right. He never had to deal with that and I’m grateful that he was too young to remember any of it now. No kid should have to go through that shit, nevermind hold the weight of it above his head like you did.” He finished up his coke and left the empty bottle and the table as he drove his palms into his knees to stand up. “Look, I’ve gotta head back out soon but think on what I said.” As he approached the exit, he arched an eyebrow. “I assume you’ve seen the news - or checked the report - about that little ‘incident’ on the beach?” Quentin was no fool. “Yeah.” Cass nodded. “Just remember that Reed has things on his own plate, too. Don’t forget that and don’t forget us, either.” With that, he bid his nephew farewell and headed back out into the night.
"... So that's the China Chef." Trevor said as he pointed at the Restaurant... with the sign right above it saying the name. They passed it right by before Trevor pointed at another restaurant. "That is the China Village." He chuckled a little bit. He's been doing this with them the last five minutes. He knew that what he was telling them was unhelpful as it gets, but he thought it was funny as hell. He threw his hands behind his head as he walked - thank God the scarf covered his face. And he continued.
Shizuka stuffed his hands into his pockets - where he curled them up and held them rigidly against his thighs to prevent himself from bursting out with laughter. He was amazed that Haruka could kept a perfect straight face while still listening to Trevor's animated guide politely.
He couldn't take it anymore. "I have to say this: for once there's actually a guy who is dumber than you that exists in this world."
"Asshole." His older twin glowered at him. "But seriously why are we still using Japanese? It's even dumber for me to keep repeating myself to you---"
"I'm not done yet." He tapped on Trevor's arm to get his attention before he spoke, "Ask him to tell us something else other than reciting shop names. What about themselves?"
"...My brother is asking you to tell us more about yourself," he translated - somewhat unwillingly - to the Obott siblings.
"Oh me?" Trevor said, scratching the back of his neck as he stopped to turn around to face them. He was about to tell them all about himself, but they had a little chit-chat, and Trevor didn't want to interrupt that one.
"And also tell him that he's a perverted dumbass. I pity his poor sister."
"Shi-zu-ka," Haruka said through gritted teeth. "Don't push it."
"Take your time, boys." Trevor threw his hands up as they had their little conversation.
"Forget that." He threw a dirty look at his brat brother. "Please go on."
Trevor shrugged with his eyes closed. "Alright then, lemme begin...." He said, putting his hands on his chin, and gave them a look. "I'm Trevor Obott. Started Texas, went to Black Fall, then settled here in Verthaven when the big sis joined NEST." Trevor peered over at Scarlet, who was unsure of whether or not she should let Trevor tell them things like this. "Hobbies include... hunting, archery, and listening to music." He pointed double finger-guns at them. "And lemme tell you, partner, I'm one of the best shots with a bow and arrow."
NEST? Some kind of gang or syndicate here? Shizuka studied the brother-sister pair. He had a nagging suspicion at how carefully Trevor covered his lower face with a scarf - definitely not something like bad breath. Something more. He continued to stare at them while Haruka did the talking. "Shizu and I were from Japan - pretty obvious, I think - and we've been traveling around the world with our parents before coming here."
"Neat, how was that like?" Trevor asked.
Haruka thought for a moment before he replied slowly, "It's not as fun as you'd think. Our parents were busy, so we're always on our own. We kept getting relocated every few years - sometimes even months - it's hard to make friends." In the end, all he had left was his little brother - a handful to deal with at times especially with his sarcastic streak, but otherwise generally dependable. Maybe a bit too much that their roles were getting reversed.
Okay, this was getting a little heavy. Heavy moments like this were not Trevor's specialty - but he could always lend a hand. A little bit of kind words. "Heeeey, hey now. It might be a little shitty, but let me ask you, did you try to make every new place, new experience, memorable? Like you had as much fun as you could while it lasted?" He raised his hands up into the air, smiling widely.
"Him? No way. He's like a magnet for bullies." Before the elder Takashiro could answer, Shizuka responded instead - in accentless English. "How many times did I have to save his ass and kick more asses?"
Trevor rolled his eyes up into his head. "... That's your first problem, Shiza - ku?" Trevor stumbled on their names, before going screw it, and going on with his point. "You obviously worry a little too much about that stuff, and worry too little about having fun." He slapped his hands on his chest. "Just look at me; I look like a gigantic homosexual, the flami-est gay you've ever seen. I get my ass kicked all the time! Sometimes by my own friends!"
Shizuka shook his head and jerked a thumb at his brother. "My first problem is that I'm weak against a crybaby idiot like him. And it's Shi-zu-ka, dork."
"Liar. You're secretly happy that I bring you fresh punchballs for your illegal judo practice."
"That's just an added bonus because you're hopeless. Anyway," he snickered at Trevor. "You actually enjoy getting beaten up?" A sharp pain in his side from the elbow of his older brother was the cue for him to stop mocking their nice guide.
"No, no, I don't." Trevor put his hands up. "It hurts like hell - but I accepted the asswhoopings. They're just another step to success, partner!"
While the twins were bickering Trevor looked over to Scarlet, before looking at the twins. "But do I let that stop me? No, of course not! And neither should you! The people round here ain't that bad. Ya' just need to take a risk. Venture out your little comfort zones." He reached around his head, and undid his scarf. Holding his scarf in his hand, he gave the twins a reassuring smile. That pesky scarf always gets in te way. "Trust me. You won't regret it."
Haruka returned a grateful smile to Trevor. "Thank you, you've been very kind. Not like someone." He scowled at Shizuka, who stuck out a tongue at them.
"Hehe... I know, I know." Trevor kept that smile on his face. "Now, tell me: do you want to make your time in Verthaven the times of your lives?"
"I don't kn---" Haruka began, but Shizuka beat him first. "Hell yes. I mean, America definitely has much more to offer than Japan - say, dangerous thrills. You obviously do have something in mind." He crossed his arms and looked at Trevor expectantly.
Trevor stood there for a moment, putting his hand on his chin. Thinking hard as he possibly could. The question was what they could do in this city. "... Yeeeah I got no idea. Sorry partners." Trevor thought about it for a moment. "... Buuuuut, I think I know someone who does. Now, if you'd excuse me...."
Trevor quickly pulled out his cellphone, and typed out a text to the crew.
yo, anybdy got plans? got 2 verthaven newcomers tat ned 2 be shown 'round
Sent to Meifeng and Cindy, since they're the two that have the plans. Most of the time. Fortunately, Cindy was the first to .
now aint u popular obott. come by da candy club wit yo friends
Trevor fist pumped.
thx
Trevor turned around, and faced the twins with a smile on his face. "Now, now, we're in luck. One of the friends said we can hang out by her place. She's real cool...." Trevor trailed off. "Her hangout's over in Knightdale Ro-" He quickly cut himself off when he remembered that they have literally no idea what that part of Verthaven even is. So he simply pointed to where he thinks north is. "Just north of here, friends."
"What are we waiting for then? Let's get movin'." Shizuka raised a hand to slap their new buddy's back. He gave Scarlet a sideways glance. "Your sister isn't coming with us, is she? Plus she needs to go collect that cool bike of hers."
"You're right." Scarlet nodded her head. She fully acknowledged that Trevor made plans without her. Not that she felt particularly left out - she just wanted to get him away from Lucy before they tear apart her beach house (She was sure NEST was not going to buy her a new one). She turned around, and started walking, looking over her shoulder to say, "I'm going to stick around here to get something to eat. You three have fun." Scarlet walked off.
"Bye." Trevor waved goodbye to his sister. Now that she was gone, now he could sin! He turned around back to the twins. "This is great. I didn't need to take ya'll to dinner, and I'm taking you places!" He said, snickering. He started walking, talking, "Now, we gon' have to take a bus. We can't all pile on Scarlet's bike..."
Naturally, the trio had to take a bus to Knightdale Rows. The bus was as busy as ever, full of many people that wanted to head to one place to another. Fortunately, they managed to score a row of seats. Trevor sat on one end, so that the twins could sit next to each other (He'd really hate to get in between them).
"So, what kind of awesome friends do you have that you're willing to let them whip your sorry ass?" Shizuka, who sat next to Trevor (because Haruka purposely left it for him and chose to take the next one), began once they settled down on the bus.
His brother flashed him a disapproving look. "Geez Shizu, watch your language."
"This is fucking 'Merica. Who cares."
"Yeah, land of the fucking free." Trevor supported Shizuka with a wry smile on his face. He crossed one leg over the other, and put his hand on the back of the seat (There wasn't enough room to put his own hand up in the seats). Now, he knew that he'd get to this part soon. They're asking about his amazing squad... he was curious as to how long he could play along without telling them that he, and all his friends, are Metahuman. Trevor didn't know how Metahumans are regarded up there in Japan, but a lot of people freak out knowing that you can shoot fire. Trevor peered over to them, and shot them a worried look. Hey, Trevor's power was easily the weakest in Verthaven. Other than his ability to emit drugs, he was virtually human in every regard. Well, except for the part where he's immune to contamination - but that's a whole 'nother discussion.
Oh. Trevor's getting off track. He's got to describe the crew. The problem was where to start. "Well, I can start with my good old pal from school Meifeng." Trevor was hesitant to use terms like 'The Academy' because of the aforementioned concerns. "You might like her, she's asian-" How racist he sounded innocently went over his head. "- She's real tall, like taller than me. She likes to have fun, and she's so exciting." He paused for a moment to point at Shizuka, "She'll totally make fun of your hair the second she sees you, so be prepared for that, partner."
Shizuka rolled his eyes. "She can humor me with the nastiest of insults. I like to be entertained."
"You could just dye it black though," Haruka said. Some of the commuters were pointing at his brother's perculiar hair color, and the way their eyes were focused on the trio made him nervous at the unwanted attention.
"Nah, too troublesome. I'm not a vain bitch or whatever. I'm proud of my hair - white and pure like angels from Heaven!"
Haruka could only pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh in defeat.
"Oh, yeah. The friend we're going to meet is Cindy. She's a black chick that wears glasses. Again, she's nice, but God damn she has a temper sometimes. She can be a real pane to deal with sometimes." Trevor started snickering again, realizing the implications of what she just said. "But chill. She lets us hang out at her place." He thought about who to talk about next. There were just so many faces he had to show. "Uhhh.... Yeah, there's Lucille. She's this femmy lesbo that was friends with my sis. She has this huge rack and that's pretty much it. All you need to know about her." He gestured to his chest like he was grabbing boobs of his own! "She stays in my house. Without paying or helping at all."
"He IS a shameless pervert through and through, alright," Shizuka muttered under his breath. And earned another sharp poke from his brother.
"Finally, there's Jen. Meifeng's best friend, or something. She's pretty hot, she got that nerd aesthetic going on. You can't miss her when you see her, she's got blonde hair, blue eyes, and a big... heh." Trevor thought that he was talking too many again. "But, you won't really hear too much about 'er. She's reeeeeeeal quiet."
After listening to Trevor's description of his friends - which was mostly about their assets - Shizuka simply raised his eyebrows, amusement shining in his dark eyes. "Y'know, you sound just like those good-for-nothing male leads in those harem anime that are so bloody popular back in our home country. You might want to consider selling your autobiography there, and maybe you could become a stinking rich guy. As for me, sadly my hands are already full just to babysit this kid here." He titled his head sideways at Haruka.
"Heeeeeey, it's the girly looks." Trevor said. "Girls just can't resist it. But I haven't made my moves yet." On the account of getting my ass kicked.
"What a waste. You could put that girly face of yours to good use and sneak into their bathrooms or something. Shouldn't be too hard to pull off a convincing crossdress."
"Well... I could totally pull it off." Trevor said, shrugging. "But there's just one big thing in the way. Hahahahahaha!" he started laughing.
The elder twin facepalmed and groaned. This isn't Japan! He decided to change the topic. "Are we reaching yet?"
"Yeah, yeah, we're almost there, keep your pants on." Trevor looked out the window, he started seeing familar streets. "Or don't. That'd be nice." He started laughing.
Actually, they are almost there. Trevor didn't notice that the bus was coming up on the stop, and no one stop button yet. "Oh, shit." Trevor said as he jumped up to his feet and pressed the button. The bus came to a stop, and the doors open. Trevor and the boys stood up and walked to the door - however, Trevor stopped at the door, and put his hand out "After you." He cordially said.
They stepped off the bus, and, lead by Trevor, made the short walk over to the Candy Club. Before they knew it, they were standing before it's red, parasol styled, sign. "We're here!" Trevor said.
Rather than a mere clubhouse, the whole place seemed more like a carnival: booths lined up along the sides of the walkway, with red decorations around to boost the festive appeal; tables scattered across the grass patch, facing a decent stage that would turn up the party heat with booming performances and acts. The site appeared to only operate at night - it's deserted for now.
Shizuka, who was faster than the other two, arrived at the entrance to the club first. He stretched out his left hand to push the door, but was alarmed when his fingers slipped through the glass. Shit. He clenched and relaxed his fist, trying again, but his hand still passed through the pane easily. Not now, dammit!
Whoa, whoa, whoa, partner." Trevor said, missing the accidental use of power. Only thing Trevor saw was this kid being dangerously impatient. "Gettin' a little ahead of yourself, aren't you? Door's probably locked!" He started laughing.
He jumped when someone put a hand on his shoulder. It was Haruka. "What's the matter?" His questioning eyes quickly became serious when he understood his brother's troubled expression. He switched to Japanese to keep Trevor out of their 'secret' conversation. "Don't tell me..."
"I dunno - I wasn't even thinking of going 'ghost', but my left hand seems to be stuck in phased mode now."
"This is bad." A quick look at Trevor to make sure he didn't catch the unforseen hiccup, Haruka pulled his brother away from the door, gesturing at Trevor. "The owner of this place doesn't know who we are. Don't be so impatient and let our friend do the talking." He gave the muffler teen an apologetic smile. Shizuka, meanwhile, hid his slightly translucent left hand behind his back and grinned at Trevor sheepishly.
It could have been a possibility that these two were talking shit about him in their native language, but the idea went right over his head. He just shrugged. "Aw shucks, glad ya'll think I'm a friend." He flashed them a disarming smile, then stepped over to the front door. "Now let me show you a little thing I call..." He put his fist to the door. "... Knocking." Though, he could have texted Cindy. He started knocking on the glass door.
A few moments later, Cindy walked up to the door, and unlocked it. She opened the door, and gave the two newcomers a funny look. Again, she was wondering where this little weirdo gets them. Two Asian kids - Cindy couldn't tell where from Asia - that didn't look super manly. The one with the grey hair looks weird - because what kind of guy dyes their hair? Especially a color that makes him look like an old man. Well, best to see who they are. "Heeey, hey, I'm Cindy." Cindy started off, having a smile on her face. "Come on in."
"Heeeeeeey, Cindy!" Trevor introduced himself again. "Y'know, this is the second time that ."
Cindy turned around and walked in a little bit - and the boys followed in behind her. "Welcome to the Candy club." Cindy announced, overacting a bit. She laughed, before she turned around and faced them. Putting her hands on her hips. "Alright, now, we should get introduced.... You two are?"
The girl who came to greet them was very brown - certainly not black as Trevor claimed - and aside from her average (but uniquely pronounced) facial appearance, she did have most of the curves in the right places (save for the chest, which was a slight pity). "I'm Haruka, and this is my brother, Shizuka," the older twin replied. "Haru and Shizu are fine, if you find our names too difficult to remember."
"... I'll call you H, and you S." Cindy said, laughing. Because these names are too complicated for her. "But it's great to meet ya'll! Trevor said you two are new to Verthaven?"
He shrugged at being demoted to be called by their initials. "Well, yeah. Just move in." Shizuka wasn't paying much attention to the conversation - he was doing his usual 'thing' again: surveying his surroundings with cautious eyes.
"... And please tell me you didn't let this idiot show you around?" Cindy said, throwing a thumb to Trevor.
"Eeeeeeeeeey." Trevor said.
"Actually we did," Shizuka said, seemingly satisfied that there was nothing particularly suspicious about the club. "And it was a BIG mistake."
"It was partly your fault too, idiot brother," Haruka shot at him sourly.
"Well," Cindy shrugged. "Can't say I'm surprised. Heh." She laughed a little bit. She then shrugged. "Welcome to Verthaven. I'm hoping ya'll enjoy your stay."
Shizuka cast a smug look at Trevor. "We will, as long as that guy doesn't try to force me to go hunting for swimsuit girls along the beaches. I mean, there are a lot of beaches here."
"If you want to bag a girl, the last person you want to go to for help is Trevor." Cindy added.
The younger brother widen his eyes in mock surprise. "Really? Even though he has already bagged a friggin' harem? Or he lied to us just to show off?"
Haruka frowned at him. "Stop teasing Trevor. He didn't say that at all, you knew it."
"... Harem?" Cindy raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what bullshit Obott fed ya'll - but he's just our friend." She shrugged. "It's Meifeng that got us all together." She elaborated, before she remembered a fact, "Oh yeah... you probably didn't meet her, right?"
Both brothers shook their head.
"... This happens a lot." Trevor said to the twins. "Everyone talks shit about me!"
"I'm sorry about Shizu," Haruka lowered his head at the Caucasian boy. "And you," he hissed at the pouting Shizuka. "Apologize." Instead of expecting a comeback, Haruka turned around and stared at his brother with concern.
"...My right hand," was all the younger Takashiro need to say.
"Heh, well. It's good partners." Trevor said. "I got that Obott thick skin!"
Cindy shrugged. "Well, what do ya'll want to do?"
Trevor immediately perked up. "We should wait for the others?"
Meifeng had little idea of what her mother was discussing on the phone. She could only hear bits and pieces in between the action of the game - otherwise, she wasn't paying attention. Something was up, but she didn't have to be Sherlock to figure that out. Meifeng shrugged as she went back to playing her game. Sitting with her legs crossed, she played away at the game. Only her cellphone buzzing with the lyric of some rap song. She raised one eyebrow as she grabbed onto it. A text from Cindy - Meifeng didn't even need to unlock her phone to read it.
yo gurl, head over to the candy club when u get the chance
yeah, sure
Okay now came the matter of getting there. Meifeng could take a bus... Oh! The Ferry sounds fun. She hasn't taken the ferry-
"... Meifeng, I'm going to the Headquarters, keep an eye on Lijuan." Lihua spoke in Chinese as she stepped by the living room, wearing her robe.
Neat. Meifeng just got a better option! "Wait!" Meifeng shouted, pausing her game as she stuck her other hand out. "Cindy wants to meet up. Can you take me to Knightdale on the way?" She asked.
"Fine." Lihua said. "Be ready in five."
Meifeng started laughing. "Five? It takes you like three hours to get ready! All I have to do is throw on a shirt and some shorts and I'm ready!"
"Because I actually put care into looking presentable." Lihua rolled her eyes as she started going up the stairs, out of sight of her daughter.
"It just comes naturally to me!" Meifeng pointed two thumbs at herself.
But, yeah. She should throw on some clothes.
After some more bickering, both of them got fully dressed, and were into Lihua's car. Meifeng sitting in the back wearing her red basketball uniform. Written on the back of her Jeresy was number 07, and had her name underneath it. She had matching red sneakers, and basketball shorts.
Lihua on the other hand was wearing a black dress. With gold earrings on, and switching out her usual glasses for a pair of sunglasses. And a black summer hat.
It was a long drive from Central Valley to Knightdale Rows, but the two managed to get there. It wouldn't be too long before they got to the Candy Club.
Of course, this one particular road they took just had to be a shitshow. Lihua was driving, and a crowd of people had formed to watch something. This wouldn't be a problem if they weren't in the road. Lihua pressed down on the breaks and the car came to a stop. "Oh what is it?" She said, annoyed.
Meifeng rolled down the window, and stuck her head out. Peaking through the crowds, she knew exactly what was going on in there. "Yo, someone's getting their ass kicked." She said as she pulled her head back into the car.
"Good grief." Lihua rolled her eyes. "C'mon, Meifeng." She said as she turned the car off.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Meifeng asked - more out of shock.
"Going to break up this little kiddie-fight so we can get on the move." Lihua let out a sigh as she unbuckled her seatbeat. There was something inside of her telling her to just stay out of it - but it is her duty as a NEST Agent to handle things like this. Besides, it's just a bunch of kids fighting. Lihua fights monsters. This will be easy.
Lihua's black heel tapped the street. She stood straight up and looked at the crowd. She closed the door before she moved closer. Pushing her way through the crowd. Meifeng simply hopped out the seat, slammed the door shut behind her, and ran her way behind Lihua.
Bickering arised as Lihua pushed her way through the crowd, separating Verthaven's youth. Cutting a swathe toward the center, the reason for sudden side-show had become eminently clear. Two young adults were circling each other; a young man not much shorter than she was facing off against red-headed girl in camo fatigues and a red tank top - she was a fair amount shorter and lighter. While normally she might have been concerned for the smaller girl's well being, there was one important detail...
The college boy was bleeding from his nose and brow, the latter being swollen and partially covering up his eye. The girl may have been sweating a storm, but she was apparently unscatched.
"You fuckin' bitch, you're dead!" Yelled the boy as charged toward Reyna. She kept her stance light on her feet, standing on her toes. As natural as can be, she pulled a fist back and tossed it around where it had met with the side of boy's jaw. Two teeth flew through the air and the young man fell to the ground. The crowd erupted excitedly, yelling and exasperated, along with hushed comments about the right hook she had just hit him with. Reyna barely gave him time to recover before she threw herself ontop of him, forcing him on his back so that she can deliver him a consistant beating between her shouts.
"Don't you!"
Thwack!
"Ever!"
Thwack!
"Talk about!"
Thwack!
"My little sister!"
Thwack!
"Like that!"
Thwack!
"Again!"
"Enough of this!" Lihua shouted over the crowd. Reyna immediately looked up from her vicious beating and escaped her tunnel vision, seeing the dressed figure of what looked like an agent. Some few globs of blood dripped down from her knuckles as she tightly held her fist in the air. Her chest heaved with heavy breaths and her skin was flushed red. Sweat was dripping off her skin, and the muscles in her arms were tensed. It was faint, but there were slight traces of steam and hot air rippling around her. The boy beneath her was likely too unconscious at this point to feel most of the punches she was giving him.
"Yo..." Meifeng said as she pretty much just joined the crowd watching. It was that chick she met a week ago! And she was beasting! For a moment she wondered why she didn't help against those REAPER bastards. Once that moment passed, Meifeng remembered that she didn't need any! Though, she stayed in the back. Lihua seems to be taking this by the horns.
The crowd's eyes fell on Lihua, and she made sure to make herself known as she stepped through. Her heels clicking loudly. She took two hard looks around, before she put her hands behind her back. "Disperse! All of you!" Lihua ordered. They stood there looking at her. "Do I need to repeat myself!? Go home now!" The crowd started leaving. She pointed at Reyna, "... Except for you."
However, Meifeng couldn't quite remember the girl's name. Something with an R. Rylie? Rayne...?
"Reyna?" Meifeng just said (instead of thinking). Loud enough so that the girl could hear her over the leaving crowd.
Reyna stood over her victim, panting and trying to regain her breath. He looked at Meifeng before casually pointing at her. "Uh... right, bear fighter? Nice to see ya again..."
She bent over and picked up her leather jacket, before slinging it over her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Lihua walked over, completely unfazed by the girl, and knelt down over the boy. Much bruising on his face. Missing a few teeth. She reached down and checked his pulse, just in case. He was fortunately alive as he ever will be - but she might have split a major vein in his jaw. Which could be a problem. "... You damn near punched his face in." Lihua noted, rolling her eyes. She kept examining him, but she had to roll her eyes when the two girls acknowledged each other. Of course they know each other. Meifeng has a knack for the strange and wild, after all.
"Oh yeah?" Reyna asked rhetorically. "Well ain't that a shame, I should've kept going."
"Tell me, do you think all this was really necessary?" Lihua asked, waiting to see what wonderous response this girl can come up with.
"Hey, hey, chill, mom." Meifeng put her hands up. "Asshole probably got what's coming to him."
"Nobody's gonna threaten my baby sister, you hear me?" Reyna told Lihua, pointing her finger. "Not if they got a death wish."
Lihua, again, had to roll her eyes. An overreaction to something that could have easily been shrugged off. She didn't know the context, but she couldn't care. Lihua stood straight up, and put her hand on her hip. Facing Reyna, and utterly unfazed by her displays of strength. "Noted... Do you mind telling me your name, Miss...?"
"Oh sure," she replied sarcastically, "mind showing me your badge?"
Oh, she's so funny. Lihua rolled her eyes. "Do not get smart with me, little lady." Lihua said, narrowing her eyes. "All I have to do is make one phonecall..."
"Hey, hey, hey, hey...." Meifeng quickly stepped in between them. Because she knew exactly where this is going to go. And she didn't like it. "C'mon, mom, we don't have to go this route." She scratched the back of her neck.
"Nah, ah, ah, I know how this works." Reyna said. "C'mon, where's your badge? You don't got a badge? You're full of shit."
It took a lot of restraint to avoid letting her anger slipping out. She completely ignored Meifeng and stepped around her to face Reyna. "Where the hell did they teach you how to act? The boonies?" Lihua hissed at her. "All I'm asking for is your name. A name. Is that too much to ask?"
"I don't owe you NEST idiots a freaking dime. Fuck off."
Lihua would compliment Reyna for figuring out that she's NEST - but she doubted that this upstart little shit figured out anything. Probably a lucky guess. "I never said that I was with NEST, sweetheart." Lihua threw her a sarcastic smile. "I appreciate the ferocity, but I'd be more inclined to care if I was talking to someone who was old enough to drink."
Lihua crossed her arms. "And you don't understand. All I have to do is make one phonecall, and your parents are going to be picking you from the station. And you're making that really tempting. If they even give a damn about a little reject lik-"
Okay, this is escalating quickly. Meifeng could see a fight coming on. Only problem was that it probably wouldn't do Meifeng any good. So, she was going to salvage the situation the only way she knew how! Meifeng quickly grabbed Lihua by the arm, and started pushing her away mid-sentence. "... Okay, okay. I think it's time for us to gooooo!"
"Yeah, yeah, and aren't you mom of the year..." Reyna muttered rolling her eyes as she turned her back to Lihua and Meifeing. She paced over towards where the boy's teeth landed and bent over, muttering as she picked them up. "Not with NEST, my ass... rule number one, avoid the cute ones with the crazy moms."
Something about it was vaguely familiar. In fact, Reyna said something about teeth in her glovebox the night of the party. She dropped them in a pouch.
"... That child is a real piece of work." Lihua said in Chinese as she slid into the seat of the car. She was more than annoyed - but otherwise, Reyna was irrelevant to her little journey to the NEST base. So, there wasn't any need to take any action.
Though, with a mouth like hers, someone will teach her to keep it closed.
"Yeah... yeah..." Meifeng said as she slid into the backseat. Okay, that didn't go well. It probably could have gone better if both weren't so confrontational. Huh? Meifeng thought about it, and it was odd to be the mediator for once. Usually it's Lihua talking her out of things. It certainly was strange. Though, she kinda wished that she could have gotten Reyna's number.
Oh well.
Lihua turned the keys in the ignition, and started driving on past the scene. Fortunately, the crowd was gone so she could go drive off.
They went on the road just like nothing happened. The sky above them started getting darker as clouds formed. "Good grief, it's going to rain again." Lihua said, annoyed.
"Heh, I love this rain. Infinite supply." She put her hands up, palms not too far apart. Creating a torrent of water between her hands.
Eventually the two arrived at the Candy Club. Lihua got out of the car, and leaned up against the car with her arms crossed.
"Okay, so..." Henry said, as he finished talking with Eli. "So we have a slight complication on our hands."
"Oh, what now?!" Sonya said, rolling her eyes on the roof of the room. "Don't tell me we lost him already."
Maximilian brushed off the comments of Sonya, and merely crossed his arms as he faced Henry. Calmly saying, "What is it, Agent Olin? I'm certain we can handle it."
"Uh, well, they're not home. And Eli's on a pissbreak."
"Alright, then we'll just go find them." Maximilian shrugged as he said. He pressed the button on his earpiece, and said, "Grue, can you help us find Trevor and Scarlet Obott?"
From the uppermost floors of the NEST Headquarters was Dana Alcott, - Or as her codename goes, Grue - sitting behind computer screens. A new recruit to RAVEN - but no rookie to NEST - Dana was the mission control for the group. And she felt honored to be selected for such a group. "I'm upstairs, Maximilian." Dana noted. "You could always come up and ask me... It gets lonely in here."
"Oh, um, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, go ask her, Max." Henry said, crossing his arms and wiggling his eye ridge.
Maximilan let out a sigh. "Alright, I'm on my way up, Miss Alcott." He said, defeated. He walked over to the door, and opened it. "Meeting dismissed." He walked out the door, and went on his way.
"Oh, goody." Sonya dropped down from the ceiling, and clapped her hands together - it created a wet slapping sound. "I think I had enough with the shooting, and the REAPERS... think me and Maria will be taking a break to help with the little things. We did come here to help stabilize the city, after all."
"We could ask Dana for a mission." Maria said. She then touched the earpiece and asked, "Grue, do you know anything going on around the city that we could help with?"
"Oh?" Grue said. "Let me check..." She said as she quickly typed on the computer. "There was a murder in Union Point Hills. An Animal Meta. Her name is Cora Dubois.... You might have some problems."
"Oh? Why?" Sonya asked.
"VPD beat us there."
"Oh, that isn't good." Sonya shook her head with that familar smile on her face. "But tell them that we're on the way. We'll get to the bottom of this in no time." She nodded her head, and then spoke to Henry, "Hope this doesn't bug you too much, Henry. Me and the wifey just need some alone time!"
Henry didn't know how to feel about this news. He'd definitely miss Sonya and Maria. They definitely related to him more than most before him. But he didn't show it. He put on a stony face and nodded. "Not at all. Best of luck to you two." He sagged as he heard Cora had been murdered. He hadn't really known her but... she had given him a chance (If only he had a chance to tap that OOOOOOOOOOOOOH).
"Lets get this overwith so you two can get your break on."
"While ya'll are on your little adventures," Leon said as he walked on past with a lazy smile on his face. He put a cigarette in between his lips - but didn't light it. "Rest of RAVEN is going to be on standby." He stopped at the doorframe, and looked back at them. "Make sure them dastardly REAPERs aren't up to anything. Peace." He walked out, followed by the rest of the task force.
At this moment, Maximilian had ascended the elevator to the floor he needed to be. He started walking past the Agents, one had waved, and he said, "Hello." before he reached Dana's room. He pushed the door open, and he immediately saw her petite frame, and her black near-afro swinging as she turned to him. She was wearing a purple sweater - the room.
"Maximilian, hello." Dana said, taking a sip of her Pepsi. "Thank you."
"I came like I said would." Maximilian walked over to Dana. "Can you give me and Mr. Olin the location of the Obotts"
Henry coughed a 'that's what she said' over the mic.
"Now, I can do that." Dana started typing on the computer, and Maximilian leaned in. Dana started pulling up Scarlet's credit card transactions, and Scarlet made a transaction not too long ago. "Oh? Scarlet Obott made a transaction at the Chinese-American Buffet over in the Chinatown district five minutes ago. I can send both of you through your datapads."
"Good." Maximilian took a few steps to the door - before he stopped, and faced Dana. "We'll definitely be going to the bar later on. And you're coming."
"Oh? I don't drink... but I'd enjoy the company." Dana said with a smile.
Maximilian was out the door - almost closing it behind him - before Dana called out, "Wait, Maximilian!"
He poked his head back into the room.
"Agent Swarm Queen, and White Leopard have updated, and there's a bit of activity going on in the base." Dana nodded her head. "They'll keep up with the stakeout, but I feel the big one is coming up."
Good. It appears that Leon's prediction isn't off. Swarm Queen and White Leopard are safe and sound. "Thank you, Miss Alcott. We're not going to let this opportunity go to waste. We're going to deal a decisive blow against the Hands, and bring a end to them. Once and for all."
"Glad to hear it."
Maximilian stepped out the room, and put his fingers on his earpiece. "Alright, Agent Olin, Grue found them. I think we can get there in time."
"Where are they at?" Henry questioned.
"Grue will send us the location. They're in Chinatown getting something to eat.... We'll take your car."
"Time to go on a monster movie rampage."
Everyone in RAVEN groaned.
It was a short trip in Henry's Mercedes G63 but the two managed to arrive outside the Chinese Buffet. It was a simple building made out of bricks, it was decorated like a generic Hong Kong structure. The windows were tinted, so they could barely see in. Maximilian stepped out the truck and slammed the door shut behind him. He looked up at the building.
"Looks like the kind of building they'd go out to eat in." Maximilian noted, he started walking in. "Let's go."
"How the fuck would you know that..." Henry said, stepping out of his car and recieving many startled looks from pedestrians. Henry, being himself, struck a volatile pose prompting them to run off in mock fright.
"I talk to Private Obott... when her brother gets into trouble." Max noted... then he noticed that Henry was doing this ridiculous pose. "We're trying to regain face here, Olin. No need to scare them."
"Please, you say that like they dont already know me here."
"Wait, what are you doing in your downti-" Maximilian asked. Then realized he probably didn't want to know.
He walked up to the door, and opened it.
Henry mumbled under his breath. Something about getting on the floor, and then walking the dinosaur.
"Oh, hello Henry." The woman at the front desk greeted Henry, and not Maximilan (Which hurt his pride).
Henry was all smiles, and people's reactions to him were often why he loved visiting Chinatown so much. If he wasn't part of monster movie culture, then he was part of historic culture. He loved being... enjoyed for once. Much more than he did being tolerated.
"Hello!" Henry replied. "Sorry to intrude but, does there happen to be a Scarlet or Trevor Obott in the building?"
"Oh, Scarlet?" The woman pointed at the corner, where Scarlet Obott was sitting, eating three plates of sushi. "She's right there."
"Thank you for your help. We just need to have a word with her..." Maximilian said as he stepped over. Henry did a slight bow to the woman in thanks and followed after Maximilian.
Scarlet noticed them before they walked up - and she stopped what she was doing, and awkwardly saluted them. "Sir!"
"At ease, Private. Agent Olin wanted to have a word with you about a certain mission... and...."
"I'll explain in the car, because it's probably best not to brief you in such a public place but.. we need you and your brother. Speaking of which, where's Trevor?"
Scarlet didn't exactly know what Henry was on about... but it must have been serious. She was sweating slightly. She was only a Private! She's not ready! So, she fell back to the only subject that she could. "Trevor? He went off to show some new kids around the city with some friends."
Okay, so Trevor isn't here. Maximilian merely shrugged. No problem. "Alright, we'll just call him, and we'll meet-"
Scarlet put a iPhone, with a purple case to protect it, on the table.
".... What's that?"
"His phone."
Maximilan put on a comical rage face, with his head arced back, and his teeth bared.
Henry laughed his usual hearty laugh at Max's expression. He was so used to these kinds of complications he almost expected it to happen. He pulled his own phone out and snapped a quick photo of his college simply for novelty's sake.
"No, no, no. Delete that now." Maximilian said as he reached for Henry's phone. Henry held it high above Max's reach and leaned away. "No way I'm saving it on the cloud and sending it to everyone in RAVEN just you wait."
"I will use Echo."
"I will post the pictures of you at the Christmas party if you do that."
That was enough to get Max to shut up... or consider murdering Henry.
As Henry held Max back with his tail, he continued. "Do... you have any idea where he might be, Scarlet?"
Scarlet started tapping on the table, looking off to the side. Thinking hard as she could, and remembered their conversation (Which, with all the sex jokes, was hard). "He mentioned heading over to Knightdale Rows to meet one of his friends...." Scarlet trailed off, before she shot a finger into the air. "Oh! I think he's meeting his friend, Cindy. He told me that her dad owns a Nightclub over in the Rows that he lets her use as a hangout."
"Hey, uh, Grue, can you get us some info on middle aged men who own clubs on Knightdale Rows, and cross reference them with those who have children named Cindy?" Henry said, pressing his index claw to his ear piece. He heard Eli say something like 'assfuck' and 'god damn lizard replacing me'.
The comms went alive almost immediately with Dana's typing. "Oh, let me look." A few moments later, Dana came back. "There's Jackson Keagan, who owns the Candy Club, his daughter is Cindy Keagan...." Dana trailed off, as she realized there was more information to relay. "Elemental type Metahuman, her specialty is glass. Oh, also. She nearly spent a year in a NEST prison when she was sixteen."
Henry was quiet for a moment. "Well she probably doesnt like us much. Sounds good. Oh, and one more thing. Why are you called Grue? Like, is this some form of 'Dispicable Me' joke or...?"
Dana cleared her throat. "... You know of my ability... right?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"A friend gave it to me while I was in the Academy Program. She said I was... like a Grue. I guess it just stuck with me." She cleared her throat. "Boring story, I know."
"Nerd." was all Henry said in response, but he made sure that his voice held a joking tone to it.
"Alright, so, we should probably go find your brother, Scarlet. Would you mind coming with us?"
"Um...." Scarlet looked down at her three plates of Sushi she hasn't gotten to yet. "... I'm still eating."
"Good lord, who eats this much sushi?" Max asked, putting his hand out.
"... I don't like making multiple trips." Scarlet said, shrugging up her shoulders.
Henry grumbled in agreement. He understood Scarlet's struggle. He understood it too well.
