Finding their way

[MorningStar]

And what was I before, Delilah? Completely vulnerable and helpless?

Delilah started to object but Karen broke in:

Now Alyica, You know Delilah doesnt think that. … the Six are going to need your help on the legal and public relations side of this. NAMELY to keep them as anonymous as possible.

The Six…

Karen...I EARNED my space in Rockefeller Center…I've done this on my terms...KNOWING those risks…The only thing worse than setting myself up for a fall like THAT is feeling like all of you are worried about me as though I can't take care of myself. I wont have that.

Delilah took a moment before responding.

“No one is asking you to give up your practice or your office. I would NEVER ask you to do that, Alycia. But I am asking for your help now. It’s not that we don’t think you can take care of yourself…but being around us is a dangerous prospect these days, and we ALL need protection now. We could really use you, Alycia. But if you don’t want to take on that risk, I understand.”

She knew Alycia would rather do anything than appear weak or scared, and she was banking on using that to her advantage. The Six couldn’t do this alone – MysTech was too far reaching not to come at them other ways than the physical.

As she waited for Alycia’s decision, she decided she liked the sound of “The Six”.

 

[Artemis]

Lennox Hospital

:: Alycia wasnt going to hear much more after she responded Karen and was about to tell Delilah the subject was closed but...::

…but being around us is a dangerous prospect these days, and we ALL need protection now. We could really use you, Alycia. But if you don’t want to take on that risk, I understand.

:: Mystech WAS getting bolder. And they were now even going so far as to attack Alycia at her place of work and even in the hospital. Moreover, Alycia had worked with Morgan and Alison when they called together their group to go and rescue Blaze. She served as legal counsel to Karen. She had helped Delilah recruit Artemis. She was apart of this sure enough and logic would dictate that in a paternership such as this there would be benefits as WELL as assumed risks.::

...I could do more...keep files and information off site from my main office for protection...

:: They could see her considering the idea seriously as she said a few things aloud here and there. Finally...::

Delilah, I was in Illustra with Morgan we went over her estate...the night she, Alison and the others left to try to rescue. I'll never forget how i felt being in the building RIGHT AFTER she died.

I've had all these moments in my life that are the stuff NIGHTMARES are made of and they were all made possibly by Mystech.

It seems only fitting that I should again return to Illustra to help bring them DOWN.

:: looking at Delilah::

I gladly accept your offer, Delilah.

:: taking her hand and squeezing it.::

 

[Titan]

Illustra - Residential Floors

Andrew was bored. Delilah had sent them all back to their apartments to sleep and expected them to just wait there to be called to some kind of training, he guessed anyway. But he was antsy. The time difference was killing his sleep cycle and he was wide awake at an ungodly hour of the morning. Even though he was used to being up early in his own time zone, here in the states he was tired – but sleepless.

So he decided to walk around and think about things.

Everyone seemed okay so far. He thought Delilah was cool – their first meeting had sealed the deal on that. And he knew she liked him even if she pretended to be annoyed by him. The tough blonde – Sharon, he thought her name was – was a bit scary but he liked that about her. Mina was blind but could hold her own. Ana was the sweet girl, Connor was…pfft. And Rich seemed down to earth.

He didn’t yet know all of their powers, but anything had to be better than no powers at all. His seemed pretty inconsequential, if he was to be honest, but scrapping with some seriously bad blokes sounded like fun. More fun that being a dock worker at least. Something he would never have admitted to anyone but himself.

He found himself on the 105th Floor. He didn’t know who lived here, but he heard movement inside so someone was up. He tried the handle, and the door swung open. He knocked “shave and a haircut” as he walked in.

It apparently was Sharon’s apartment, because he found her and Rich in the living room. He sat down in an armchair and put his feet up on the coffee table.

“So, what’s going on here then?”

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra-105th

[ As soon as Rich placed his hand on her shoulder...she turned. Not in reaction to him but to the footfalls outside her doors and then the door OPENING and ANDREW walking in, as if this was HIS place!]

....

[Her silver eyes fixed upon him in disbelief]

He sat down in an armchair and put his feet up on the coffee table.

“So, what’s going on here then?”

.....

[ Sharon removed Richard's hand from her shoulder quick, turned to face Andrew and approached him]

there may be an outbreak of VIOLENCE going on.

I didnt invite you here!

[ She says in angered tone as she now stands just on the other side of the coffee table. She'd only seen him once. Last night. He was tall, skinny and he just felt WRONG to her. Something about him... She bristled at his presence.]

[ she sized him up. if she wanted to, she could bend him into a PRETZEL and if he provoked her, she might do just that. ]

 

[MorningStar]

I gladly accept your offer, Delilah.

Delilah shook Alycia’s hand with a smile.

“Thank you.”

She glanced over at Ana-Leigh.

“And I think I have a great candidate for an intern for you.”

Delilah squeezed Alycia’s hand once more.

“We have appointments with training and MysTech research, so I guess it’s time we take our leave. Get yourself well. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call us.”

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Alycia was hesitant at first to accept Delilah's offer to basically "work" for The Six. It wasn't that she couldn't handle herself, but she would be such an asset to actually have around. And deep down, she knew no matter what Alycia was always going to be on MysTech's hit list...having her around would insure her safety. But she would never say that to the attorney's face.

Smiling as Alycia finally agreed, Ana-Leigh eagerly nodded her head at the suggestion of her being Alycia's intern.

"Absolutely! I would love to help out with anything you need."

Having working with Alycia Barnett on her resume would be amazing. Plus, soaking up anything law related from her would just be icing on the cake.

Delilah: “We have appointments with training and MysTech research, so I guess it’s time we take our leave. Get yourself well. If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to call us.”

Walking over to Alycia, Ana-Leigh leaned down an hugged her.

"Bye Alycia. Glad you're feeling better."

Stepping away, she allowed Karen to say her goodbyes before they all departed back to Illustra.

 

[Titan]

there may be an outbreak of VIOLENCE going on.

I didn’t invite you here!

Sharon certainly was feisty. A smile played on his lips as he shrugged.

“I knocked.”

He thumbed in the direction from where he’d come.

“You know, you really should start locking that. You never know who could just walk in.”

He grinned up at her for a long pause, then turned his attention to Rich, nodding to him.

“Alright, Rich?”

His gaze fell back on Sharon as he stretched.

“So, what are we up to this fine morning? When do we head to training?”

 

[Matrix]

Oh shit. And things were going SO well...

SS had gone form zero-to-sixty already on Andrew and he had no idea who he was messing with. He nodded back at the greeting and mouthed quickly to Andrew:

FEET OFF THE TABLE!

He stepped to one side of Sharon but close enough to try to save Andrew somehow should this escalate.

Well WE are all HERE now right? And since Delilah wants us as teammates we should perhaps get to know one another better.

Rich smiles at Sharon with his back to the young man as he made an appeal too quiet for Andrew but loud enough for SS to hear.

pleasedontkillthiskidatleastuntilDeegetsbackheistryingtocopewithasuddenmoveandIamcertainthatwecanallgetalongeventuallyifyouwilljustsparehislifecmonSharonworkwithmehereIknowhefuckedupbutjustbecoolthisonetimeforme?

Now succesfully manuevered between the pair, Rich goes into bridge mode, starting with an icebreaking question while hoping that he could keep this from getting worse.

So Andrew, from the UK I take it. Where in the UK?

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra - 105th floor

“I knocked.”

He thumbed in the direction from where he’d come.

SO WHAT!

[ Sharon shouts.]

“You know, you really should start locking that. You never know who could just walk in.”

He grinned up at her for a long pause.

[Sharon's eyes widen]

Anyone who comes near me or invades my space...I KILL!

[ she forcibly slaps his feet off table and stands over him]

DON'T mess with me, scrawny man. I have KILLED men for less than what you've just said to me.

He stepped to one side of Sharon but close enough to try to save Andrew somehow should this escalate.

Well WE are all HERE now right? And since Delilah wants us as teammates we should perhaps get to know one another better.

Rich smiles at Sharon with his back to the young man as he made an appeal too quiet for Andrew but loud enough for SS to hear.

pleasedontkillthiskidatleastuntilDeegetsbackheistr yingtocopewithasuddenmoveandIamcertainthatwecanall getalongeventuallyifyouwilljustsparehislifecmonSha ronworkwithmehereIknowhefuckedupbutjustbecoolthiso netimeforme?

[ She heard Richard and looked at him. Annoyed at first...She moves back, folding her arms. ]

 

[Titan]

Rich looked like he was going to have a coronary.

He mouthed “Feet off the table” to him. He gave him an incredulous look and shook his head. What was the big deal?

Rich started to make polite conversation with.

Well WE are all HERE now right? And since Delilah wants us as teammates we should perhaps get to know one another better. So Andrew, from the UK I take it. Where in the UK?

But now she was shouting at him.

Anyone who comes near me or invades my space...I KILL! DON'T mess with me, scrawny man. I have KILLED men for less than what you've just said to me.

She pushed his feet off the table. He looked up at her, not blinking.

“Now, gorgeous, don’t be like that.”

He put a hand over his heart, unfazed.

“I think you have some serious anger management issues. You might want to see someone about that. You know, anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

He turned to Rich.

“Now, Richard, to answer your question. I am from Belfast in the North of Ireland…” His eyes slid pointedly to Sharon. “…thank you for asking. Do I detect a south United States accent for you?”

He was now ignoring Sharon completely, listening intently to Rich.

 

[Matrix]

“Now, Richard, to answer your question. I am from Belfast in the North of Ireland…” His eyes slid pointedly to Sharon. “…thank you for asking. Do I detect a south United States accent for you?”

He was now ignoring Sharon completely, listening intently to Rich.

Rich sighed heavily. HE was as stubborn as SHE was.

Correct. South Carolina to be exact. Hey Sharon!

Rich made an effort to include her inspite of the tension.

Where are YOU from?

 

[Mina Harker]

Illustra - 106th Floor

Mina hadn’t gotten much sleep. She was in unfamiliar surroundings, but ones that were supposed to now be her home. It was an odd feeling, even for someone who spent a large part of their time living out of hotels. Some of her necessary things had been brought to Illustra from her apartment. Which she supposed she’d have to give up now, but she was hesitant to do that. Who knows how things would change tomorrow? Especially with this group.

So she had been restless. She had tried unsuccessfully to unpack the things that had been brought for her, after which she had taken time exploring the suite. The magickal objects that could be moved would have to be done asap. But then there was the other things…a dead woman’s personal things. She would have to speak to Delilah about her wishes for these things. The contents of a life reduced to boxes in storage seemed a poor effigy to someone as powerful as Alison Marble.

She had decided to rest on the sofa until it was time to meet the others once again. She wasn’t about to leave them to this alone.

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra- 105th floor

[ Silver Swan shot daggers at Andrew as he tried chiding her]

I'll let YOU "see" the OPEN SKIES, you scrawny man! [ taking an agressive step forward with her hand outstretched] When I bend you over backwards with my BARE HANDS, fold you into an AIRPLANE and throw you out the...

Rich made an effort to include her inspite of the tension.

HEY Sharon! Where are YOU from?

...

[Despite Rich's inroad with Sharon, it would only go so far. When provoked or triggered, there was usually LITTLE restraint on her part. The fact that hadnt battered Andrew into unconsciousness already was a testimony to her sincere attempt to respect the dwelling she was in. Yet another sign that pointed to what Rich had been saying about her being more in touch with her humanity than even SHE might think.]

[Still, She doesnt take her silver eyes off Andrew as she eyes him like a bird of prey]

I'm from HERE. New York City.

[ She looks at Richard and then back at Andrew. She wasnt about to make small talk with this person. It was all she could muster in the way of restraint not to spread him across the wall like jam!]

Andrew...get out.

NOW!

GET OUT NOW BEFORE I DRAG YOU OUT!

[ By now, a small flock of sparrows had gathered on her balcony and were looking rather agressive as they were all puffing themselves up a bit.]

I know this is Delilah's place. She and Bishop have been...more kind and true to me than I would have expected. But that doesnt mean I have to put up with the likes of YOU!

[ Looking at Richard]

Ill be present for training. Just get him OUT of here before I do it!

 

[Titan]

Illustra - 105th Floor

Andrew chuckled.

“Okay, lady, no need to get your feathers all in a bunch.”

Serious anger issues.

He stood up and stretched before giving Sharon and Rich a dramatic bow.

“My friends, it has been a pleasure.”

He turned and walked casually out of Sharon’s apartment, leaving the door open behind him.

Now where to?

Ah, he had the perfect destination. He had noted that Delilah had escorted Mina to her apartment on the 106th floor the night before, so he quickly decided to drop in on her. He was pretty certain that she wouldn’t mind. And hey, he didn’t have anything better to do.

 

[Matrix]

Andrew...get out.

NOW!

GET OUT NOW BEFORE I DRAG YOU OUT!

[ By now, a small flock of sparrows had gathered on her balcony and were looking rather agressive as they were all puffing themselves up a bit.]

I know this is Delilah's place. She and Bishop have been...more kind and true to me than I would have expected. But that doesnt mean I have to put up with the likes of YOU!

[ Looking at Richard]

Ill be present for training. Just get him OUT of here before I do it!

He shook his head, grimacing.

Gotcha Sharon. I will see you later on. Andrew...

Rich nods towards the door.

“Okay, lady, no need to get your feathers all in a bunch.”

Serious anger issues.

He stood up and stretched before giving Sharon and Rich a dramatic bow.

“My friends, it has been a pleasure.”

He turned and walked casually out of Sharon’s apartment, leaving the door open behind him.

Rich turned back to Sharon.

I am sorry to impose. But I figure if we are gonna be here all together I would try to make it work. But that RIGHT THERE was not fair to you in your place. For that I apologize. I'll see you at training.

He headed to the door and left, closing it properly behind him.

 

[Bishop]

Illustra - War Room

Connor had been alone here most of the night, researching. He’d slept a little on a couch in one of the office. The solitude had suited him just fine, though. He hadn’t been in the mood to deal with Delilah and her frosty attitude towards him.

Unfortunately, his research had turned up didley squat. And they needed to know WHERE they were attacking before they did it. This was a problem.

He heard the female voices before they showed up. He had hoped to have a few more hours, but that’s life. Delilah, Karen…swell. They seemed in good spirits, at least with each other.

He didn’t turn to them as they entered, but Delilah spoke – all business, of course.

Delilah: “Find anything?”

He swiveled his chair around to face her, his face dark and emotionless.

“Nothing yet. Clandestine’s databases have absolutely nothing about a place called NERVOUS. I’m still checking, though. It has to be somewhere.”

 

[Mina Harker]

She heard the knock and a voice call her name.

Andrew: “Mina? Hello?”

She sat up from where she lay on the couch and smoothed her dress.

“Yes? Come in – I’m in the sitting room.”

Andrew: “Just thought I’d see what you were up to. I don’t really anyone else, other than Delilah. It’s Andrew, by the way.”

She smiled.

“Yes, I recognized your voice. You should be resting – you have a big day today, training with the others.”

Her voice was soft, almost motherly.

Andrew: “Couldn’t sleep.”

She reached for her cane and stood.

“Would you like some tea then?”

Andrew: “Grand – yes, please.”


"Alright, then."

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Illustra- War Room

<<Karen was on Delilah's right when they arrived back at Illustra's War Room via a teleporting spell. But from Alycia's room at Lennox hospital to Illustra, they had a fast stop off. At Karen's loft in SoHo. Delilah had been there before, this was Ana-Leigh's first brief visit.>>

<< It wasnt long before Karen emerged from her office with a file folder in hand. Not indicating what it was just yet, she weaved a teleporting spell and brought them back to Illustra's war room.>>

Delilah: “Find anything?”

He swiveled his chair around to face her, his face dark and emotionless.

Bishop: “Nothing yet. Clandestine’s databases have absolutely nothing about a place called NERVOUS. I’m still checking, though. It has to be somewhere.”

I believe THIS can help you.

When Sharon mentioned NERVOUS earlier, it made me think about things Christopher had said years ago. Moreover, with Clandestin Inc's help, I was able to return to my marital home and steal several of Christopher's files. Including this...

<< setting a large file down on the counsel>>

It's a file from Operation Zero Tolerance. An initiative Mystech was getting pushed through the government....allowing for funding of heavy high end technology to deal with mutants and metahumans as well as the construction of a large data warehouse.

<< the file contains an in depth information package naming the agency, location, floor plans and information system technology used by them. they have an EXTENSIVE data base on mutants and meta humans across the globe....and thanks to MysTech...specifically Christopher, who had a powerful magick user for a daughter and was eager to pay his wife Karen, also a witch, back..they are beginning to turn their focus on getherin information on MAGICK users as well.>>

From what I read....it was this ARM of mystech...that allowed them to find the energy creature BLACK and set him after my daughter....


NERVOUS was the inner sanctum of this arm of Mystech. Containing a GALAXY'S worth of information on mutants from across the globe!

<< Although Karen was not a member of this new formed team. She had as deep a connection to the effort to destroy Mystech as any of them and to help ensure justice for her daughter and protection of other innocents, she was glad to help.>>

No doubt that's how they were able to find Sharon, even if her father had tried to conceal OR was truly not aware of her A-line genetic status. Not to mention the girl Sharon saved in Central Park the other night and countless others.

<< the photos of Nervous were intriguing. It was an undergrond structure, similar to the Citadle. But The landscape above suggested it was in a remote, harsh region where few would dare to tred. possibly the arcitic.>>

 

[Bishop]

I believe THIS can help you.

Connor was a bit dumbfounded. She couldn’t have said this EARLIER, before he spent the entire night coming up with nothing?

But he didn’t say anything about it. He just took the folder.

“I’ll start scanning this into the computer so we can figure out logistics.”

He turned back to the console, away from them.

Delilah and Karen continued talking.

NERVOUS was the inner sanctum of this arm of MysTech. Containing a GALAXY'S worth of information on mutants from across the globe!

Delilah: "If we could get our hands on that information before we destroy it…it would be risky, but worth it."

Maybe too risky. Better to just blow the place up and forget about it. Brute force was always the better option; when they tried to get creative, people died.

 

[Titan]

Andrew watched Mina easily navigate around a pile of boxes in the middle of the room on her way to the kitchen – almost as if she could see them. He called to her in the kitchen.

“Moving?”

Mina: “Moving in actually. Delilah has invited me to stay here permanently.”

Very little had been unpacked. He looked around at the sparse surroundings.

“Must be nice. I don’t know where I fit in in this place.”

Mina returned holding a tray in one hand with two delicate teacups carefully balanced on it. Much too proper for him, he thought. She reminded him of his mother, the formality of the little things, and somehow a protectiveness.

She set the tray down and sat on the sofa, picking up her own cup and cradling it between her hands.

Mina: “Please – sit down.”

He did and took a sip of tea, continuing to look around. He didn’t think it was rude, because she couldn’t see him doing it after all. He noticed a large contraption in the corner of the living area.

“What’s that machine for?”

Mina: “I have to take dialysis three times a week – a nurse comes here.”

Andrew was a bit taken aback. As if being blind wasn’t enough of a problem for this girl.

“That’s rough.”

She shrugged her shoulders.

Mina: “I’m luckier than most – I can afford the nurse. Patients usually have to go to hospital for hours. At least I can sit at home.”

He didn’t really know what to say. It was Mina who broke the silence.

Mina: “You really should give the others a break, you know. I understand that you feel out of sorts here, but they’ve had a lot happen to them, as well.”

“Hey, I’m just being myself, and if they don’t like it the lot of them can just piss off. Delilah is the one who asked ME here. If they want me to join their anger management club in order to be here, they can just count me out.”