Escape from New York

[Black Widow]

A sort of silence fell over the group in the express jet after Sharon finished describing how her and the other alternates had been separated... most of those present were deep in thought. Haleigh stood at the front of the 'car', facing the glass windshield, propelling them forth down the tracks, making sure they were headed the right way and that nothing would slow them down.... when suddenly.... someone calls her name. She doesn't turn around... but she does answer.

"Yes?"

Suddenly, Haleigh gets a flash of another place... a holding cell of some kind. The express jet gives a lurch and Haleigh quickly grabs the control deck to steady herself. In the background, Haleigh can hear Nicolas calling urgently for Morgan and Delilah asking where he went. Haleigh quickly brings the express jet to a STOP. Something was happening to her... something very bizarre and she was worried that they were under some kind of psychological attack, if Nicolas was behaving strangely as well. Another flash hit Haleigh... but this time she didn't fight it... she wanted to know where it was leading her...

I'm...BACK. And i've KILLED THEM. But we're not finished yet. We've got more work to do.

"Alycia?"

Haleigh says aloud.... but she begins to realize what is happening... she watches silently through her ALTERNATE'S point of view as an alternate Alycia releases her and explains.

Haleigh wills herself back to her OWN consciousness, as Nicolas returns will Morgan and an alternate Blaze... Haleigh remains will her back to the rest of the car for a few seconds as she shakes her head and regains her bearings.... then she turns around and smiles at the new arrivals. Delilah responds quickly, bum rushing the alternate Blaze with a hug. Haleigh's reaction is more tempered. She gives Morgan a soft smile and a nod and shakes Firebird's hand.

"A pleasant surprise, as always, Blaze.... and Morgan... wow... you have no idea how nice it is to see someone who RECOGNIZES us for a change. I'm glad you're alright. Well, if that's EVERYONE.... I'll get us moving again."

She said, starting the express jet once more. She didn't immediate tell them about her alternate... because Morgan and Nicolas launched into discussion... and as Haleigh watched them, she leaned against the control deck of the 'car'.... and she could see both Nicolas and Mike were looking a little affronted... and as Nicolas responded, Haleigh spoke gently.

"Nicolas.... [making eye contact with him, trying to silently encourage him to calm down] Of course we'll try to help your alternate. No one's going to just write him off."

She said, I won't let it happen, okay? she finished in thought.

"Now, I've got some good news... My alternate has been revived... I have some kind of.... link with her.... like two computers on the same network. She's recovering... she's been released... by Alycia's alternate... who has been the recipient of some serious upgrades."

 

[Seer]

surprise

<< the damage to th e relationships among the mainstream six were apparent in moments like this. Nicolas and Mike felt as though Morgan regarded them LESS than Alison, Ava or Delilah...even an ALTERNATE Delilah. MORGAN felt that Nicolas may not have realized how DAMAGING and SHOCKING his words to Alison were at the dinner in the rotunda. Delilah felt that Nicolas regarded Morgan as nothing more than a trophy and wanted her to forsake all others to cater to HIM to the exclusion of all else...in this instance HALEIGH was definately coming out on top >>

<< still with the presence of alternates Silver Swan and Firebird, now was not the time for them to degenerate into an argument. Far too much was at stake for everyone in the express jet.>>

<< Haleigh realized she had a mysterious "link" to her alternate which gave them another advantage. they now knew that Alycia was alive and had undergone a DRAMATIC transformation courtesy of mystech and that alternate Haleigh had been recently released from captivity following Omega Sentinel's BRUTAL killing of a large section of mystech and gov't staff using the compounds own defense systems through technopathy.>>

<< the group moves along, covering much ground unseen...until the track begins to go on an upward incline. this itself is not a problem but two triad patrols of sentinels have locked onto the signatures of Firebird, Silver Swan and Spellbinder and as the car reaches a higher level, approaching the compound, the ground EXPLODES as the car is ripped UP by a magnetic force wave and the group is now exposed out in the open. the car is derailed and forced open as the 6 sentinels begin to identify the mutants and metahumans.>>

 

[Spellbinder]

drawn into battle

<< Morgan looked at Nicolas once more. Haleigh reassured him, and Morgan understood his concern. Perhaps she had come across the wrong way. She wouldnt RISK anyone trying to appeal to Justicer Delilah Trelevan, that's why SHE would confront the woman herself.>>

Of course you should DEFEND yourself, but...after the way you talked to Alison i just...

<< Morgan was STILL shaken by that. It was like she didnt know WHO was at the table at that moment. Alison was drunk from hemlock sure, but Nicolas HEAVY HANDED verbal smack down on one of Morgan's closest friends...a SISTER for intents and purposes, it didnt sit well. in the days of VALIANT, she would have BARBEQUED a man who talked to Blaze like that but the fact that she had done ALL she could to control herself even at her own expense prooved her far she'd come.>>

<< she cared for Nicolas. she had enjoyed many of her private moments with him and despite his being YOUNGER than her, many times had he prooven to be to be understanding, trustworthy and honorable as a man and as a partner. his behavior on Aerie just didnt make sense to her and they hadnt had a chance to TALK about it yet. it was one of many things that had to be discussed but that would happen LATER, IF they survived.>>

<< before she could finish, the underground car went up an incline and was then ASSAULTED, the ground EXPLODED as magnetic waves PULLED it up from the ground onto the surface and then slammed it down. everyone was thrown around soon the top of the car was torn open. SIX sentinels...identifiying them, though she, nicolas, mike , delilah and haleigh were all presented as anamolies to the scans. APPEARING to be the targets of this time, but different on fundamental levels. it was JUST the narrow window they needed.>>

EVERYONE, get out and HIT them as HARD as you can. stay TOGETHER.

<< with that, she motions for alternates Silver Swan and Firebird to join her in an aerial assault. chimes, rushing wind and flames can be heard as the three women take off in formation, leaving Black Widow, MorningStar, Rampage and Arsenal to fight from the ground.>>

go after the ones that are scanning SOMEONE ELSE. they should be adapting to that target and not necessarily expecting a hit from someone ELSE.

<< and with that, Spellbinder, Firebird and Silver Swan begin to attack from the air.>>

 

[Firebird]

Onyx colored eyelashes slithered upon Spellbinder and Rampage with a cocked thin brow. Her jade orbs providing an inkling of the mischief that was buried behind the Fire Elemental. She tried to conceal a lax grin that threatened to escape, which she pulled her glossed bottom lip into her mouth to nibble. Weren't they just like a deliciously decadent power couple? Rampage was hardly Chocolate Thunder or any other comical nickname, he was Sexual Chocolate. That man could make even the most frigid woman melt in those very soulful coffee eyes, just like Spellbinder. Despite her good nature and flirty fun behavior, Blaze would always be protective of her 'sister' whether mainstream or a cross-time alternate. Blood was thicker than water. All that mattered was Morgan was here and now, just like the others.

Delilah's exuberant hug caused Firebird to gasp while a smile radiated across her voluptuous lips. Lovingly she returned the hug to her dear friend. "Hey D, its good to see you!" She was surrounded by familiar faces she knew and loved. For a few seconds Blaze felt like she was home. Yet, the painful realization registered in her mind that these were not HER teammates except for Silver Swan. Offering Morningstar's hand a firm squeeze of support. Delilah was always the backbone in Blaze's eyes as far as trying to access the situation and control it, besides Haleigh. Both women were considered level-headed. Well, even poor Haleigh could fly off the handle when provoked under the right situation.

Reverting her gaze onto the brunette perched in the front of the mobile they road in. For a second Blaze was hesitant to shake Haleigh's hand. Not because she disliked her but because the handshake seemed so formal. The fire elemental didn't have to be empathic to see that Haleigh was putting up a facade like usual. She could camouflage it in her mannerisms but Black Widow's eyes betrayed a faint portion of her conflicting emotions. Yet, Firebird didn't dwell on it either, deciding to leave the woman alone. Extending her lithe hand forward to gingerly shake it. "The pleasure is mine, Hales." Playfully winking her way, trying to enlighten the dark morose mood the whole entourage felt. Even in the bitter end of battle, Blaze tried to keep the spirits of her teammates elevated and amicable. They all shared their own form of tragedy whether as individuals or together as a team.

As the track inclined, Firebird's luscious sepia locks rippled from the wind as they continued to ascend. Glancing forward she noticed the track getting higher and higher. Usually that seemed normal but Firebird's instincts troubled her. Maybe it was paranoia? Attempting to ignore it at first was almost a fatal mistake. The explosive climax only created more catastrophe as six sentinels loomed above them.

The impact of the event caused Firebird to be jarred and attempting to regain her bearings temporarily. Yet, as soon as her sister's authoritative voice boomed out. Firebird's eyes illuminated to a dark hunter green with a ringlet of yellow around the pupil. Without hesitation, her svelte frame was engulfed by a frenzied array of scolding flames of various colors as she ignited the air currents around her. Shooting off into the murky skyline like a rocket with Spellbinder and Silver Swan. Blaze's provocatively posh costume vanished under her fire form while in flight. Simultaneously, a brilliant display of a torching aura outlined Firebird. Proof her powers had grown as well as the Elemental. The flaming outline of a large bird of prey followed Firebird. Its 'wings' outstretched in a wide diameter. Zipping through the air in a zig-zag pattern to avoid being targeted by the other Sentinels.

Swiveling around in the air, Blaze's fiery form rotated around in the air. Her amber locks flapped in the air as she spotted the nearest Sentinel target Silver Swan. With its eerie eyes set on the other woman, Firebird flew full force as a thermal blast of fire had been channeled through her outstretched hands. The intensity and the inferno-like temperature targeted the Sentinel like a heat-seeking missile. The damage if connected would melt the steel to molten slag. Melting the Sentinel down to the ground.

Pointing her index finger down to the side of her ass as she made a hiss sound. "Am I hot or what!" Without a second thought, Firebird swooped down as she was propelled through the air from riding the wind currents. Surveying the land down below at the ground level. It certainly felt like old times.

 

[Silver Swan]

the fight

[ the car was ripped up from the ground and slammed down, before being torn open. Silver Swan was ALREADY looking up with her silver eyes narrowed in irritation.]

damn things...they think they have the drop on US?

[ the mainstream Spellbinder gave the call to battle and while Silver Swan was notoroious for NOT wanting to "Take orders" from anyone, NOW was not the time to bicker...besides, these were alternate versions of her friends.]

[ she, Spellbinder and Firebird took to the air and spread out among the Sentinels toward the center. Firebird attacked the one that was focused on her as she evaded its grasp and she climbed up to reach the face of the Sentinel taking aim on mainstream Haleigh.]

Assess THIS threat!

[ swooping into position and with a mighty swing, the Silver Swan punches the Sentinel with the force of MORE than a pile driver. her right hand cross is followed by an equally strong left hand UPPERCUT to the head as well. the sound of metal friction and extreme impact is heard from these attacks and as it staggers causing small tremors on the ground, the Swan quickly flies UP , evading its attempts to contain her and swoops around to the back and down below....down to one of its giant boots.]

new players OUT NOW! and you're headed for a BAD FALL!


[ clearly THIS Sharon was full of bitchy quips and smart remarks. she manifests one of her ADANTIUM metal wings, and swings across with the prescision of a grim reaper's sycthe and SLICES through the "ankle" area of the giant jet propulsion boot, causing the Sentinel to TOTALLY lose its balance and stability as it now falls BACKWARD, massive sparks and electrical feed back erupt from its severed boot as the massive robot CRASHES down into abandonned warehouse behind it.]

[ Silver Swan sheathes her wing and hovers down below as Firebird attacks HER target and Spellbinder can be seen high above, attacking her target. she waves with approval as Firebird asks "am i hot or WHAT?" ]

 

[Spellbinder]

above ground

<< Spellbinder went up in the air, Firebird and Silver Swan were already attacking other Sentinels and the other four were now advancing.>>

Delilah has the advantage or RANGE with her powers. Haleigh has her technopathy and Nicolas has his strength and TK. Sharon and Blaze have their flight to keep them out of immediate danger now that they've engaged two sentinels b ut MIKE...

<< WHY was he here?? a brave man, an honorable man who was far from helpless but against mechanical killers such as THESE? even ALYCIA saw how futile her presence was when the TRI Sentinel attacked. She then thought of mainstream SHARON, the night SHE died at the hand of Mastermold! It would break Morgan's heart to lose Mike, another human without any powers, ESPECIALLY in an alternate timeline. He was with them though just the same and Morgan would make SURE he made it out with them.>>

<< as a Sentinel closed in on him, it HALTED its initial attempt to ensnare him with a carbonium coil that came from its open palm.>>

Sentinel: ALARM! system error in progress. Initial target, identified as rogue HUMAN with no genetic potential has DISAPPEARED from sensor sweep. conducting self diagnostic to determine...

<< at that moment, a large chime was heard as a broad beamed eldritch blast SLAMS into the back of the sentinel's head...causing its voice to fade with loud feed back as it staggers forward, its head EXPLODES and the body falls forward, crashing down into an open lot with fire and electical eruptions coming from its now exposed neck cavity.>>

<< Spellbinder had cloaked Mike....using THAT as her means to cause confusion in the Sentinel's protocall since it wasnt focusing in on HER and then she attacked its head with a powerfull eldritch bolt. flying down low enough for Mike to hear, she points, in a directing move.>>

Arsenal...you get under cover... there's no NEED for you to risk yourself now! My spells will keep you hidden from these sentinels...

until the next batch arrive, ADAPTED to that and are able to see him like Mastermold saw ME!


<< Firebird covered Silver Swan and Silver Swan covered Black Widow. that left THREE more to be handled by MorningStar, Rampage and Black Widow....Morgan was allowing herself the feeling that they'd make it through fine and could make tracks to the compound which was now in plain sight and just a short distance away.>>

everyone...HURRY! Before more of them come!

 

[Seer]

and so!

<< and so, as the crosstime amalgam of the Six fight off this first group of Sentinels, hoping to get moving before MORE arrived, their goal lay in the dark night horizon on a hilly area...the dreaded compound, the stronghold that served as a prison, a base of operations and a mass graveyard for scores of mutants, witches, metahumans and others that fell by Sentinels, Mystech and government oppression.>>

zoom forward and into the compound

<< the red alert is still in effect. Omega Sentinel's cold,cruel and calculated elimination of hundreds mystech scientists , federal officials and other high ranking officers can be found on various floors in sealed rooms, offices and labs. her vengefull hazel eyes can be seen flickering on monitors and other viewing devices throughout the compound and as the alternate Haleigh recovers her wits and bearings...she STILL has not totally processed the fact that Omega Sentinel USED to be ALYCIA, a human...now the woman is ONE with the computer systems and represents the NEXT GENERATION in human based technopathy.>>

<< the alternate Haleigh has a moment of uncertainty when she shares a "networking" moment with her mainstream counterpart. BOTH become aware of one another and allow each other to share information so as mainstream Haleigh tells her companions that her alternate is being aided by a "seriously upgraded alycia", the ALTERNATE Haleigh is aware that HER friends, Silver Swan and Firebird are coming BACK for her and Alycia. they're ALL coming toward the same goal, escape and FREEDOM but is it TOO SOON for anyone to think it MIGHT WORK? >>

<< Omega Sentinel has succeeded in throwing off the TRI SENTINEL...for NOW, but what about MASTER MOLD? what about the NEVER ENDING army of SENTINELS that could be unleashed, what about the nations of the world that are watching...WAITING for the moment...the PROVOCATION they need to press "the big red button" and launch the nuclear strike against the US? Alternate Haleigh KNOWS that the Sentinels will soon come to the conclusion that in order to "Deal with the mutant menace" that not only must they continue to "rule' the United States but they must "take over" the governments of the other countries around the globe. The SEntinels are a threat to EVERYONE one, not just mutants and metahumans!>>

<< and there is still Justicer Delilah Trelevan, who ESCAPED Omega Sentinel's brutal laser trap. Alternate Haleigh KNOWS that HER Delilah didnt just THROW herself into this role...she was duped, COERCED and IMPLANTED with a command chip that has made her "FALL IN LINE" with the agenda of the antimutant president and his cabinet. they PREYED on Delilah at her weakest moment and USED her are STILL using her AND Nicolas. Alternate Haleigh knows that THEY TOO need to be rescued, just as MAINSTREAM Haleigh reassured HER Nicolas that they would do what they could about the hound Nicolas.>>

through the compound, to the dungeon that houses Ava and Alison


<< the witch and the goddess have laid for hours now...without being disturbed. but even the possibility of uninterrupted SLEEP seems like an illusion.>>

<< Omega Sentinel is LEADING Alternate Haleigh toward them, but the dungeons are like a maze. it will take a bit longer for the hybrid to reach the badly hurt witch and goddess.>>

 

[Harbinger]

through the darkness

::as Alison jolts awake, she cant believe that she slept AT ALL and that it wasnt the result of some DRUG or experimental procedure. she realizes she's on the floor...and that someone is next to her, but she's HARDLY fully lucid...her cobalt blue eyes flutter.::


......

:: she groans slightly...unable to FATHOM moving more than a twitch. her body aches, her mouth is dry...she's nauseated to the point of feeling faint...but she's ALIVE...she's still "HERSELF" on some smal level, even if they've shaved her hair, and she now has scars from surgical exploration on her arms, her stomach and other areas of her body including her head.::

:: she shuts her eyes, but all that does is make her feel like the room is spinning. she's BARELY aware that another body is near her. probably a DEAD body?::


:: she heaves...but she doesnt vomit. her body just feels BEYOND violated, laying on the cold, hard, aged floor...in ithe dark, almost immobilizing black dungeon.::

:: only the faint hue of red from the "red aleart" in the hall way tries to pierce the darkness. the wall monitor high above flickers...the ghost image of hazel eyes can be seen, but Alison cant even turn over to see them.::

Omega Sentinel: ....hang on. help is on the way. for you..and US!

:: who was it....a voice...a dream? another TRICK? sounds so familiar...but too sick...to weak...to DIZZY to focus.::

Help is on the way!

:: how long had she been HOPING for that and it never came! her friends couldnt find her...maybe they'd gotten lost TOO. her eyes fall shut as tears fall from them once more. as she weaves in and out of varying stages of awareness.::

:: for THEIR (Alison and Ava's) Protection, Omega Sentinel KEPT their dungeon sealed as she released zombies and other bio hazards to the upper floors to KILL more workers and soldiers. But alternate Black Widow would not be afraid of these things. SHE was a more deadly 'bio hazard" than the zombies and other creatures.::

 

[Rampage]

In a way, Nicolas really DID understand. He realized that she had been through a lotwith the man who should have been gher first and BEST love, her father. He understood the level of damage, having been allowed unprecedented access to her mind. And he cared for her deeply, wanting more than anything to try to make al of this work. But a part of him HATED the idea of suffering for another's transgressions. Feeling as if the simply bhaving a Y chromosome would disqualify him as trustworthy. It did not help that most of the team seemed to have varying degress of problems in this regard, or that Delilah was able to trust a man more in one wekk than she would probably ever trust him. But in the end, the timelines showed him that the one thing that prevented all of the holocausts that had occurred in those times from happening to them was that they had managed to stay TOGETHER. Even when they hated each other (or at least seemed to), they always managed to pull it back together, apparently before it was too late. That was ONE reason why Morgan's threat hit him hard. But in the end, given all that had occurred as well as all that she did not yet know, he saw her determination to help out a friend. Nicolas motioned lightly, his face softening a bit, as Morgan began to speak.

I know, and I'm sorry about th-


The car exploded into the air, as it was hit by a magnetic wave. The Sentinels before him, Morgan suggested that they make a strategic attack, exchanging foes to gain an advantage. Nicolas nodded ,smiling as he saw Morgan quickly go to defend Mike from his Sentinel. Nicolas jumoed quickly up as he began to spin in the air, his axe outstretched. He teleported above the Sentinel targeting Morgan and landed THROUGH it's head, slicing its cranial area into pieces. He grabbed the back of the neck of the Sentinel and smashed it into one of the remaining ones as he heard Firebird joke after melting the hell out of a Sentinel. He answered her, his good mood returning with the heat of the battle, his voice changed to a Jim Carrey "the Mask" dead-on imitation.

SMMMMMMOKIN!!!!

 

[Arsenal]

Miek was pretty hot with Morgan. How could she take after ANOTHER timeline's Delilah over their OWN Nicolas?? He shook his head, knowing that the sorceress was good people, but searching for how to reach her when the car blew apart. He was thrown free and managed to roll to his feet safely when he looked...UP!!

SHITshitshitshitshit!

As a Sentinel faced him, analyzing and targeting him. He prepared to ove it his best, knwing that this could be it, when Morgan intervened, taking it out quickly and suggesting he retreat for his own safety. He regarded her for a moment, his eyes softening quite a bit. He grabs her hand gently, holding her attention for just a second.

Thanks, Morgan. I will go inside, try to reach the others ahead of you guys....Look, don't give up on him. I am worried about him if you do. About all of us.

With that, Arsenal disappeared, already opening the doors and taking the high road, which seems to contain the least resistance as he uses his sensors to find the lost pair. He makes his way quickly, hoping to get them free and deliver immediate care to them...

 

[Persephone]

:: Laying in a heap on the cold concrete floor, Ava was unconscious due to the battery of tests performed on her earlier. Even in her unconscious state she seemed to be able to feel her body burn as the various animal toxins attacked her system. With the power surpression collar on, her unique physiology was unable to do it's job and stop the poisons from effecting her. ::

:: Shortly after her return from the medical lab the cell doors opened as one of the guards dropped off Alison. It was very unusual for them to be in the same cell together at the same time, so something must have happened. Both the witch and the goddess remained on the floor, each weaving in and out of consciousness and both unaware that the six had finally entered their timeline to rescue them. ::

:: As time passed the muffled sound of an alarm began to wake Ava. Slowly her eyes opened....the softest red light illuminated the room with a rhythmic blink allowing her to see a figure laying next to her. Blinking slowly, she tried to clear her blurred vision, but even that seemed to hurt. The person was as thin as she was and wearing a medical gown. Bald with scars from procedures all along her neck and head. It had to be Alison....Opening her mouth Ava tried to speak, but her throat and tongue were so dry from a combination of screaming and dehydration. Inhaling a shakey breath she slowly began to push her body up off the ground but immediately collapsed. Coughing out Ava groaned as tears fell from her eyes....she was in so much pain it was unbelieveable. After being on this earth for thousands of years, fighting in a fair amount of battles, and traveling to numerous timelines, never in her life has Ava ever been so brutalized and dehumanized than she had been in this timeline. The once tough and 'holiar than thou' goddess that many of the six regarded as cold and detatched was nothing now. Atleast that's what she felt...what was programmed in her mind day after day for months and months. Pushing her hand along the concrete floor toward Alison, Ava's hand met with Alison's and grasped it.....her eye lids slowly closing as she heard a familiar voice while slipping back into unconsciousness... ::

"Help is on the way!"

 

[Arsenal]

Mike entered the facility to find absolute pandemonium. The biohazards and zombies were tearing apart ayone left alive in here anmd turning on each other once they had destroyed all enemies (doctors, guards, visitors) before them.

Mike immediately went high, using his chameleon effect to sneak past a lot of the action. It did not fully help as some of the monsters could still sense him by SMELL!!

Problem number one was a group of large hornets that sensed his carbon dioxide output and turned toward him.

Tumbling, Mike tried to evade but was only partially sucessful as he took a glancing barb to his forearm. Were it not for his armor he would have been severly stung but the venom still managed to land on his forearm, causing the skin to blister. He shot the offender before it could attack again and ran over to a large cryogenic vat used for containment of some of the "experiments". He waited for the hornets to come for him as he laid a grenade on the liquid Nitrogen canister. As they flew forward he leaped upwards quickly, blowing the canister as he grasped the ceiling. The canister blew, instandtly freezing the bugs in mid-flight as they crashed harmlessly to the floor, breaking into a thousand pieces. As Mike held on to the ceiling, his left arm that had the venom on it gave way and came crashing down, rolling off to one side as he landed hard.

Gritting his teeth, Mike opened his arm sleeve as he crouched behind a piece of equipment. His arm looked as if it had been burned by some sort of moderate acid. he looked out and found a rinsing sink. He turned on the water and quickly rinsed his arm, the pain subsiding a bit but a nasty set of blisters remaining. He lanced them and placed an antibiotic dressing on it quickly as he stayed cloaked, working his way around the battles he saw, following his sensors to where his teammates were being held.

As he fought and worked his way around, Mike's mind was a blur. He was worried, and in his mind rightfully so. Here he was with a group of people that would all be referred to counseling at best, maybe in some of their cases even held. Probably none of them would reasonably be allowed to OWN a weapon, much less BE the weapons that they were. And while he cared for them all in their own ways and would not wish to deny them their gifts, he was concerned that none of them would or could submit to facing their inner demons, making one of the horrible outomes he had seen inevitable. In fact, none of the timelines seemd great to him, and all of them involved the death of one or more of their number usually at the hand of another. Is THAT what was to be? Mike hardened his expression as he worked his way further into the complex, determined to find a solution for all of this.

 

[Black Widow]

Haleigh could sense that Firebird was a little disappointed with Haleigh's 'professional' greeting, but the hybrid did nothing more to sate her. their interaction remained cordial but awkwardly stiff.... not because of any infraction but simply because Haleigh did not want to allow herself to become to enamored with this Alternate version of Blaze.... she was concerned that it would make it more difficult when the inevitable 'goodbyes' came.

Morgan and Nicolas took small steps towards each other, but it was easy to see the resonance of Nicolas's dinner behavior stood between them. Haleigh stayed out of it.... they could resolve it on their own.... but that was something for another time and place.

Their car was torn apart. Those that could took to the air. Haleigh scrambled out from under a stomping sentinel boot.... it tried to get a fix on her, identifying her and trying to lock in so it could shoot her but she kept moving.... kept leading it as Sharon flew around it.

"Come on.... keep coming you big bastard.... a little more... a little longer...."

Assess THIS threat!

Haleigh smirked as Sharon dealt with it swiftly.... and stylishly. It was clear this timeline's Sharon had come into her own and was comfortable with her mutation.... a promising sign for THEIR Sharon.

A sentinel took to swatting at those that were flying about.... it got harrowingly close to Morgan while she was focused on something else and each time it swung it seemed to get better at predicting which WAY they would dodge. Haleigh manifested a heet seeking missile with the concussive power to obliterate a tank and the agility to bring down a fighter jet and brought the Sentinel down by renovating a whole in its torso unit. Morgan called attention to the compound nearby.

"We can make it on foot, Morningstar, Rampage, make a run for it, I'll provide cover fire!"

Haleigh offered, ushering them past as she set up two large machine guns on pivoting bases that followed the remaining sentinels and BLASTED them with unrelenting 50 cal rounds.

 

[Seer]

into the compound

<< as the amalgamated team of the Six beats back the sentinels with a successfull tactic of switching targets, the group knows that the next batch will be ready for this tactic and any powers they've displayed. It's time to move and so they do with Spellbinder, Silver Swan and Firebird flying over head while MorningStar and Rampage move along the ground. Black Widow provides high powered cover to the rear and Spellbinder casts a cloaking spell to provide them with as much buffer as she can until they are inside the compound.>>


<< Mike has already entered, narrowing escaping being fried by electric eyes. once he is inside, the carnage uneashed by Omega Sentinel is clear to see, but even HE has not been able to access the sealed board room which is now filled with laser slashed and burned body parts from mystech and government officials.>>

<< He endures the assault of giant wasps and is fortunate that zombies and other bio hazards were focused on the hapless guards, who despite theire fire power, were soon overwhelmed either by the bio hazards or by the defense systems of the compound which Omega Sentinel was now using against HUMANS< overriding the protocalls set forth by the Sentinels themselves.>>

<< the dna signatures of mainstream Alison and Ava were definate, but their vitals were weak...the bodies had endured more than most humans or mutants for that matter could. they were violated on multiple levels and without any reservation.>>

<< as the group arrived, the compound seemed to respond to the sudden influx of guests by SHUTTING DOWN and SEALING all entrances/exits and powering down once again to PITCH BLACK. the sound of a LASER TRAP could be heard all around as zombies and biohazards were now being disposed and vaporized. Alycia was almost TOO quick to respond with fatal brutality in this timeline, but she was not quite human anymore. she had the ruthless accuracy of a computer.>>

<< as the group FINALLY reached Mike who had suffered an injury...the room they were in SEALED as a monitor flickered on. mainstream Haleigh would notice that HER technopathy to the machines, the computers and related items was being BLOCKED. a pair of hazel eyes flickered onto the monitor screen.>>

Alycia/Omega Sentinel: FOOLS! WHY would you rush into the FRONT DOOR of this compound. NOW i have to try to SHIELD you from MASTER MOLD before he can activate his ultimate mutant protocall to destroy you! I can't do that AND destroy him at the same time!

<< it was clear that Omega Sentinel was out for REVENGE. the carnage she had caused into the compound was evidence of that. BUT she had released Haleigh's alternate and guided them towards the fallen Alison and Ava. the monitor slowly turned to face mainstream Haleigh.>>

Alycia/Omega Sentinel: your alternate is 5 floors down in the east quadrant. She's just found Alison and Ava and I've unlocked the cell. She will need help getting them out. Go out of this room, turn left. you will find an elevator down the hall. I have disengaged the passcode. You can it to get down there and meet them. You will have 4 minutes to escape this place...before Master Mold becomes completely self aware and SOVEREIGN, assuming all military authority for the U.S. I intended to detonate a PLASMA BOMB that will destroy this compound from top to bottom...and MasterMold with it.

<< but what she didnt mention is that SHE TOO would be killed in the blast.>>

 

[Firebird]

As the fervent battle ensued it seemed as though the Six were flawless in their swift tactics. Each teammate was fluid in their movements to forcefully expunge the surrounding sentinels. Blaze could see the ground team assault flourishing just as well. A smile cracked on her lips as she avoided a hefty swipe of a large Sentinels' hand, slipping around the robot to confuse it. Her surrounding fire aura ignited a few flames along the side of the robots hand. The dense metal broke down to melt into a thick liquid form.

Silver Swan's prompt execution of power proved to be her target's downfall. Nodding back to her teammate, that was the woman Firebird knew and adored. "Not too bad yourself, Swan Lake." A nickname Blaze would substitute at times.

Yet, as a familiar charming voice filtered through the air, Blaze glanced downward to see Rampage tearing it up himself. His playful remark caused the fire elemental to morph into a full grin, revealing her dimples. A sly wink was directed to Spellbinder's man.

The new addition of Arsenal caught Firebird's eye. Her green eyes looking him over. He was obviously easy on the eyes and a team player. A nice addition to the team. Not to mention eye candy.

Finally, the remaining Six made it inside. Blaze's eyes adjusted just as all doors were sealed tightly. Raising a palm along the door to see it wasn't budging. Slivers of darkness fell along the group like a cold winter evening. Raising both palms to toss two low-powered fireballs into the center of the room. Both collided to form into a small fire, the size of a camp fire to supply some sort of light until Morningstar could manipulate light or one of the other teammates. The disturbing echo of the laser didn't go unnoticed, Blaze turned to investigate where it was radiating from.

A chill scattered up her spine. The air reeked of death. Firebird noticed a figure off in the distance as the rest of the group surveyed their surroundings. That figure was Mike and he seemed hurt. Unsure if the others had spotted him yet or not, Blaze walked over. Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder gingerly. "Easy beefcake." He was a big guy so he probably would be fine. But Firebird kept an observing eye on the guy none the less.

The flickering monitor perched in the corner grabbed the brunette's attention. Those eyes looked so familiar! The voice that followed was enough to supply a good inkling that this was Omega Sentinel! Listening intensely. Peering over to Silver Swan at the mention of their Haleigh. She had been released, that was a relief! She also managed to locate mainstream Ava and Alison. Perhaps all hope wasn't lost.

The next bit of news seemed like a grim challenge. Only four minutes to rescue the others and evacuate with the building crawling with any surviving experiments Omega Sentinel hadn't terminated. Well, things could always get worse! The tone in Alycia's voice seemed off. Blaze got the distinct feeling she was concealing something.

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas landed after felling the Sentinel pair, watching the others fall with a precision that was impressive. He watched Firebird for a second, smiling at her exuberance and again wishing that Blaze had not been lost. He quickly regained himself and entered with everyone else into the compound.

As the doors sealed and darkness fell Nicolas quickly reached out with his other senses to check for danger. He found Mike ahead of them resonating with a moderate pain and as he worked his way out the compound mentally, he found Ava and the shielded mind that had to be Alison. Then, even as she addressed them, Nicolas found Alycia, or rather what she had BECOME.

If not for his experience with Haleigh's mind, Nicolas would have been easily lost in her mind, perhaps even trapped there. Going from Haleigh to Omega Sentinel was like going from addition to algebra. Same principle, far greater scope and depth. He was narrowing his search, looking for her center, intrigued with the journey even as he instructions rang in his ears. As she finished, he wondered why she was so cryptic. Here, at her emotional core, the most human part of her, was the reason. She HATED her new situation and had decided to end her life along with Master Mold's! As he triangulated a fix on her location, he spoke to her, hoping to reason with the humanity that is left.

I know it seems impossible considering what has happened Alycia, but NOW is not your time to end your existence.Don't give up your life needlessly. Let us get you out of here as well. Your friends would want to help you. Let me come get you. You can do this remotely...

 

[Arsenal]

As Mike nursed his wound the lights went, and the sounds of death could be heard throughout the place as the security system went completely nuts, killing damn near everything with a pulse. A light suddenly flickered as Firebird came forward to see him, smiling as she checked his well-being. He straightened unconsciously, smiling back the pain as he responded to her.

No problem, hon. Just adjusting...my sleeve.

Mike reloaded his weapons quickly as the voice over the loudspeaker gave them only 4 minutes to get the hell out before the place went up in flames. Nicolas must have sensed the voice, because he was trying to talk it out of suicide. Mike's eyes widened as he realized that THIS was the Alycia of this timeline!! As he edged towards the door to find the others, he set a timer to coincide with the self-destruct. Mike then spoke to Alycia as well, although it occurred to him that she had the power to save herself at this point.

There is always room for one more, Alycia. People. let's move!!! 3 miniutes, 46 seconds!!Alycia, you just say the word and I'm sure someone here can bring you with us...

 

[Spellbinder]

inside the compound

<< as she landed, Nicolas and Firebird seemed to pinpoint Mike's whereabouts and they hurried, dodging a rampaging security system as creatures and the few hapless soldiers that remained were being destroyed.>>

<< inside the exam room, the door SLAM DOWN shut, sealing them in and then...>>

DARKNESS!

<< a few frantic moments, with the sounds of violence and carnage in the halls beyond the doors filled the air and everyone's eyes had yet to adjust to the pitch blackness until Firebird conjured a flaming orb to provide suitable lighting. Morgan watched as her alternate sister seemed to relate easily to Nicolas and Mike. it was really just what they needed, considering their poor standing with so many of the mainstream women. Morgan would not begrudge them of that.>>

<< after the team got their bearings, a monitor seemed to come to life and slowly pivot towards them....the screen flickers as a pair of vengefull hazel eyes apart in image....and then the voice. Morgan looked a bit confused for a moment as Nicolas addressed it, but then she too realized that this was ...>>

ALYCIA!

<< the woman was now a COMPUTER!? no...there was more to it than that. Nicolas spoke of getting her. that means she had to be somewhere in this building but what had she become...or better yet, what had she been TURNED INTO by these evil people?? First Haleigh, then Sharon, now Alycia! would it ever end?>>

<< Morgan listened with intrigue and dismay at the same time as Alycia's now computerized voice spoke with coldness.>>

Alycia...the violence we saw out in the halls...is that your doing?

<< after a few moments of silence, there was a reply.>>

Omega Sentinel: My NAME is OMEGA SENTINEL! I am not human anymore. the programing that is now apart of my being was implanted into my BRAIN following my capture. the nanotechnology spread through my body...destroying and restructuring it at the same time. Just as THEY [Mystech and the govt.] took my life from me, I took theirs in return.

<< the monitor flickers showing a full audio/visual playback. the six...the mainstreams and alternates see rapid fire playback of both Alison AND Ava being tortured and experimented upon in all sorts of ways. It causes Morgan to gasp and cover her mouth in horror....>>

we...we're too late!

<< Omega Sentinel doesnt respond. the images continue to the moment Omega Sentinel herself came fully back online and hacked into the compound's control center, RAVIGING it with her technopathy and using the systems to ruse the doctors, officers and other high ranking members of mystech and the gov't to the executive command office, where she seals them in the room and unleashes a barrage of force against them in the form of water, electricity, vacuums and finally the LASER TRAP. the violence is staggering. Alycia has killed at least 25 people in one swoop in this footage alone. her eyes can be seen flicking on various screens in that executive room before it fades to pitch black. >>

<< they then see the biohazards being released as the locks in the dungeons are disengaged.. the ALTERNATE Haleigh is shown, her reaction to Alycia's new form and Alycia's unwilligness to acknowledge that as she sets the woman free and directs her toward Alison and Ava.>>

Omega Sentinel: that should answer your question. now you had better move fast. time is short.

<< Morgan reaches out to the monitor to touch it. she cant help herself. but at that point it powers down, Alycia is no longer there. the room unseals and the lights power on to normal levels. in the hallways, remnants of dead bio hazards and soldiers are residual only.>>

....

<< Morgan is at a loss for words. Alycia seems to have NO feeling. She doesnt know that Nicolas was able to find that core of her which is still human, which would explain his and Mike's appaeal to the woman NOT to end her life.>>

Is there a chance we can find her too? if we...if we have to FORCE her to leave, that may be what it takes. I have the coordinates for where we need to go. my disc will save us the little time we have left!

<< and with that, Spellbinder teleports them all to where Alycia showed them to be on the screen. but what she didnt know, was that someone ELSE would be there waiting for them too.>>

 

[Seer]

critical mass

<< as Spellbinder teleports them to the exact location where they need to be, they are mere steps from encountering the alternate Black Widow and reuniting with THEIR Alison and Ava.>>

<< but just as it could be expected, Spellbinder was VIOLENTLY accosted by Nicolas, the HOUND! She screams with shock as he slices at her, causing a wound on her side before tackling her into the wall. She BARELY has time to block him from attacking her neck or face but he has leverage and SHE is too winded, too blinded with PAIN to properly defend herself. His MENTAL attacks on her have no effect thanks to her psi screen but his physical strength outclasses her by 25 tons and without the proper chance to regroup...she can't bust lose. tears flow from her face as she winces, struggles to keep from sobbing from the white hote pain of her now deadly wound.>>

<< and before anyone can properly process or react, the hall is flooded with pure, unrelenting LIGHT. the light is WORSE than looking at the sun...it blocks out EVERYTHING and overloads the visual senses of everyone, knocking Silver Swan, Mike out cold as they are DAZZLED. to deal with those who MIGHT be able to compensate for THIS, from the blinding light, a focused pressor beam of photons SLAMS into mainstream Nicolas' head , Firebird's chest and mainstream Black Widow's face. that PHOTON blast could PULP a normal, unprotected human and reduce thick stone or even MARBLE to dust.>>

<< justicer delilah trelevan makes the scene, looking rather disheveled. she's been battling against ALYCIA herself throughout the compound, using her own power to defend against the systems of compound and the laser traps.>>

<< this version of Delilah has the power and the WILL to use it in ways Mainstream Delilah could only hope. but there is a CATCH. for around Delilah's neck is a COLLAR. She is under a constant "mind control", a mental program, and if the collar is removed by any NORMAL means, it will be destroyed.>>

FLASH

Delilah:How could you let this happen!? How could you let her KILL HIM! He was ONLY HUMAN!

: Sharon was DEFENDING herself. He tried to kill her once BEFORE, remember? You were supposed to be WATCHING her, but you were too busy JUDGING her and looking at her like a FREAK in order to care!

: She was trying to find her son! He was the one who kept coming after her! YOU let him in ILLUSTRA, he knew who we ALL WERE!

<< the women argue, with Delilah firmly believing that Sharon is a menace, DESPITE her having killed her own horridly mutated son at Arklay to prevent his danger to others. It doesnt MATTER what Bishop did, Sharon used her POWERS on a human being. Morgan and Alison feel BETRAYED by Delilah on multiple fronts and cast her out of Illustra and the Six! and as Delilah leaves for the last time....>>

FLASH

: We can help you, if you help US. We can help you bring to justice, the people who were complicit to the murder of Connor, a human being that was viciously murdered by a renegade mutate! that's what you want, isnt it? to bring them to JUSTICE? we know you're not like THEM, Delilah! with your power over light and sound, you can help PROTECT humans from mutants and others like them!

<< the doctor is convincing, but in Delilah's heart, she wavers...but soon, the choice is TAKEN from her as she is taken from behind and stunned into unconsciousness. Dr. Marcus would soon outfit her with a neuro-compliance collar, forcing her to be alligned with the will and agenda of Mystech by magnifying her own sense of fear, guilt, lose and ANGER of Bishop's death at the hands of Sharon. She was to become a PAWN to use to exterminate her own people. She and Nicolas BOTH.>>

Back to the PRESENT

Justicer Trelevan: End of the line, DOUCHE BAGS! let the light of JUSTICE BURN AWAY the menace that YOU ARE!

<< her assault of LIGHT turns into one of LASER light....now a HOT PINK color, the laser light begins to BURN AWAY at the clothes, the SKIN of those who are still conscious to face her. the manifestation is constant, and uninterrupted and Delilah herself is pusing her powers to the utmost limit...she's being carried away on a wave of hatred that even SHE is not sure where it comes from. the collar around her neck is beeping rapidly as her heart and brain activity are rising.>>

mere feet away:

<< the alternate Haleigh had been guided by Omega Sentinel until moments ago when she finally found the cell that housed Alison and Ava. The alternate Haleigh shared a link with her mainstream counterpart, and became aware that the others were nearby, as was Delilah. ALTERNATE Haleigh KNEW what had been done to Delilah. But she knew that she needed to help the two women in front of her first. and so, she would use that network link to communicate with her counterpart, who could then relay that information to Nicolas, SOMEONE that might be able to survive and SUBDUE Justicer Trelevan. time was running out.>>

alternate Haleigh: Omega....ALYCIA...I don't care what you want to call yourself, you're still apart of this family and we need your help! push back the auto destruct sequence, stall mastermold, knock out Delilah...but there's no way i can get these two out of here with her attack all but filling the hall way! do SOMETHING..

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah just nodded solemnly as Morgan suggested – no stated – that they would put things right in this timeline. And Morgan took responsibility for Delilah’s own alternate, putting the weight on herself. But Delilah knew if it came down to it that she could not allow her friend to let her take the easy way out. THIS Delilah Trelaven was HER responsibility – dealing with her would be penance for her own actions in their timeline. Of course she couldn’t say any of that to Morgan – arguing with the dark sorceress would be futile – but she would not allow Morgan to assume that weight onto her shoulders, in addition to all the other things Morgan bore for them.

Before much more thought could be given to the situation, they found themselves SUCKED up through the ground and SMASHED down onto the ground. The Sentinels had found them.

Sharon, Morgan and Blaze put on an extremely effective aerial assault, leaving the ground attack to the remaining three. Haleigh – ever the leader – took the opportunity to cover the rest of them.

"We can make it on foot, Morningstar, Rampage, make a run for it, I'll provide cover fire!"

Morgan further cloaks them as she follows Rampage inside the compound. It’s the scene of a massacre; unidentifiable body parts piled everywhere and blood…so much blood…

Then everything went dark – and they realized they were not alone, for OMEGA SENTINEL aka ALYCIA was there with them. And she was pissed.

She showed them Alison and Ava bring tortured and broken. Delilah hung her head, not able to watch the atrocities any further. Then the scenes unfolded for them of what Alycia’s new form had done. Delilah knew she could be ruthless…but this? She was helping them, yes – but only just so. This new Alycia was so cold…

But there was no time – Mike was right, they had to get to Ava and Alison and get out of there. She felt the now familiar sensation of Morgan’s stepping disc transporting them to where their friends were still imprisoned…

…and where they would find HERSELF waiting for them! Delilah froze, faced with this alternate version of herself, the one who she could so easily be…