Meeting of the minds

[Malice]

history lesson

telepathically to helena via their closed psychic rapport: that sound....

:: the woman's laughter with a haunting, child like resonance. it floated across the astral plane as that image continued to display before them all. clearly it bothered Malice, but even Enchantra didnt IMMEDIATELY catch on to the awful truth just yet.::

:: returning to the task at hand.::

The child is of NO relation to ME. But rather she was...is...the daughter of James Marcus. She was his first born and a mutant. She displayed a remarkable level of intelligence, comprehension and adaptibility at an early age.

FLASH

<< in slight "fast forward" motion, we see Lord Spencer, James Marcus, Diana and other "elite inner circle" members gathering in the grand hall for a photo. FLASHBULBS pop off in rapid succession before we see a little girl, her curious, rather maniacal laughter is heard as she runs to her father and demands to be in the picture. Marcus agrees and she asks to be her FAVORITE "Auntie" Diana. Diana shows a SLIGHT frown of discomfort...and rolls her eyes as once again Marcus allows the child free reign. Soon after final fusses are made, the photo that HALEIGH would see more than a decade later is taken.

FLASH

She was very...unkind to animals, particularly insects. She was more interested in their internal workings, much like her father.


She had a younger brother who was not a mutant. She was strong. He was sickly.

Marcus wanted the brother and their mother eliminated...I was happy to oblige. After all, he had long since FORGOTTEN her once he began seeing ME.

:: she said with no guilt or conscience.::

FLASH

a woman, badly burned, with blood coming out of her eyes falls to the floor, with a vacant look on her face. she falls before a pair of white high heeled boots. paning up, Diana, in one of her EARLIER and more revealing "white queen" outfits steps over the body of Veronica Marcus, having just murdered her. she walks slowly over to the crib where the baby lays. Her face is enshrouded in shadow as she looks down at the child.

From the child's point of view we see Malice towering over him...

flashing images of Malice attacking Veronica with her psi powers moments earlier play out before returning to the moment at hand.

Malice: rock-a-bye baby....in a tree top. when the wind blows...the craddle will rock.

<< she slowly rocks the crib as the baby continues to cry...and soon, malice's eyes begin to glow from her enshrouded face.>>

Malice: when the bough breaks...the craddle will fall... and down will come baby...

<< she telepathically renders the child brain dead.>>

craddle and all.

<< Malice leaves the room....but her voice can be heard speaking to Bio Hazard Cleaners.>>

Malice: dispose of the bodies in the aqua ring. and sterilize this room. remove ALL traces of this family ever having lived in the mansion.

FLASH

<< the realization that Malice had even PERSONALLY murdered a CHILD was a new low even for HER in the eyes of the Six. Malice had no shame OR remorse.>>

With his wife and son out of the way, Marcus took his daughter, Jessica and exposed her to a private desinger strain of the T virus shortly after he had his original breakthrough with the leeches. No one ever questioned WHY she disappeared at such a young age. I telepathically erased all memories of her from the staff in the mansion.

His research had shown that if a person infected with the virus, that had mutant potential, never sustained any kind of trauma, the virus would EVENTUALLY mutate within them with FAVORABLE results...but because most direct human experimentation with the virus had been utterly disastrous up till the time of Blaze...Foxfire & Haleigh....Marcus placed his daughter in SUSPENDED ANIMATION deep within one of the labs of the mansion, the same lab where the first Lickers and TYRANT were produced.

She would have had to survive the release of the virus in the Mansion, Kyle Kelly and the mansion's destruction...

Its been well over 20 years...if she's ALIVE, she may be in FULL realization and CONTROL of her powers, coupled with the virus. She'd be the only living being with an almost COMPLETE "remote" control over the virus, beyond anything YOU are capable of, Black Widow.

She would be....Mystech's only surviving HEIRESS.

 

[Black Widow]

Dominique: The only thing we have a 'hard time' with is tolerating your putrid presence, you arrogant creature.

"You sure are sensitive this morning. What's the matter, you can only appreciated the jokes not pointed AT YOU? Because you seemed amused when the cracks were being made at OUR expense."

Dominique: You OVERESTIMATE your worth. Despite your apparent 'victory'. We yet face this virus AGAIN so your apparent 'destruction of Arklay' was not as thorough as you would like to believe.

[with a smile] "You misunderstood me. I said we destroyed 'ARKLAY', and we DID. We wiped that decrepit old shanty right off the map. I NEVER said we destroyed or eradicated the T virus, and I never WOULD say that, because the virus itself lives within ME. And besides, even if it DIDN'T, you can't expect to fumigate the place and think that's the end of the T virus. Arklay wasn't the ONLY place that Mystech experimented with it. I myself was infected at the Citadel. I'm sure Mystech had caches of the virus all over the damn place."

Diana: Why bother getting MY hands dirty when it's easier to let you do gooders put yourselves out there…. And take the FALL?

"Mmm, it must be convenient to be such a lazy coward."

Haleigh purred, her soothing tone not at all matching her sharp words. She wasn't moved by Malice's ongoing verbal 'assault'. If anything, Diana seemed to be losing her edge. She was hardly making the proper effort anymore. Haleigh was getting disappointed and a little bored with it.

Diana: Just like you destroyed Arklay, one of "your own" destroyed your lives...and WE help put them back together now didnt we? Or maybe you enjoyed being exiled on Aerie for all your efforts to "protect the world from Mystech" simply because of who you are.

"Actually, I DID rather enjoy that. Well, it wasn't ALL bad, anyway."

Diana: As the saying goes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!

"Oh, so YOU'RE going to handle it then? And you don't NEED our help, is that right? So… we'll just be on our way then-- oh, wait, we already HAD this discussion, didn't we? And didn't you decide that you wanted our involvement then? Have you changed your mind?"

It was like pulling teeth to get information out of these women. Did they want help or didn't they? Haleigh figured the Six would be involved eventually, but when it came down to it, this woman was the SISTERHOOD'S problem, and Haleigh didn't have even the SLIGHTEST problem letting Diana shoulder that burden all by her inflated-sense-of-worth self. If they wanted to be bitches about it, they could be bitches amongst themselves. Haleigh didn't need this. She'd just as soon go HOME. If the woman escaped the sisterhood and came to 'collect', then Haleigh would deal with it, but Malice seemed to sure of herself and her own ability to handle the situation. She lauded herself as SO MUCH more competent than the entirety of the Six, so WHY NOT let her have at it?? She was NOT bluffing. She was the de facto leader of this team and AS SUCH, she would pull the team OUT if she felt they weren't needed, appreciated, or at least treated with a modicum of respect. Malice could plainly see this was not just posturing. Either they wanted the six to leave, or they didn't. The rest was wasting time.

[after a beat] "No? Well then stop dicking around and tell us who the little bitch IS so we can get this over with."

Diana: The child is of NO relation to ME. But rather she was...is...the daughter of James Marcus. She was his first born and a mutant. She displayed a remarkable level of intelligence and adaptibility at an early age. She had a younger brother who was not a mutant. Marcus wanted the brother and mother eliminated...I was happy to oblige.

"Of course you were…."

Haleigh drawled. It was a new kind of low for Malice, but not all that surprising. Haleigh took it in stride. She was a bit bored, waiting for Malice to dole out the REAL information.

Diana: With his wife and son out of the way, Marcus took his daughter, Jessica and exposed her to a private designer strain of the T virus shortly after he had his original breakthrough with the leeches. His research had shown that if a person infected with the virus, that had mutant potential, never sustained any kind of trauma, the virus would EVENTUALLY mutate within them with FAVORABLE results...but because most direct human experimentation with the virus had been utterly disastrous up till the time of Blaze...Foxfire & Haleigh....Marcus placed his daughter in SUSPENDED ANIMATION deep within one of the labs of the mansion, the same lab where the first Lickers and TYRANT were produced. I...didnt know that until AFTER I disposed of HIM. Its been over 20 years...if she's ALIVE, she may be in FULL realization and CONTROL of her powers, coupled with the virus. She'd be the only living being with an almost COMPLETE control over the virus, beyond anything YOU are capable of, Black Widow.

[deadpan] "Awesome."

Diana: She would be…. Mystech's only surviving HEIRESS.

"Just what we need, Mystech's version of Paris Hilton. I wonder what kind of little dog she carries around in her purse. Probably some kind of mutant rat terrier or something."

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah created the wormhole to the Hellfire Club’s War Room as requested.

Isis did her “bitch” thing, making Delilah question yet again why they were there. And why the Sisterhood wasted so much time trying to show how much they disliked the Six.

We get the picture, move on already.

“Next time YOU call US in to have a conversation, can we just skip over the whole, ‘We don’t need you, we saved you, you’re all totally incompetent blah blah blah’ part of the conversation and get right down to why we’re here? It’s SUCH a time saver.”

Haleigh played her memory back for the room. Delilah studied it carefully.

“Holy shit – Diana was young once. Amazing! When was that, like in the 20s? Did you wear those flapper dresses with all the fringe?!”

She sat down in an available chair and put her feet up on a counter, smiling over at Malice.

”This woman...if left up to YOU...will probably SURVIVE and eventually confront us…“

“We can only hope. Why don’t WE go home and leave you to it then?”

She put her feet heavily on the floor and moved as if to go.

Marcus wanted the brother and their mother eliminated...I was happy to oblige. After all, he had long since FORGOTTEN her once he began seeing ME.

Delilah leaned in to Haleigh and whispered.

“Yeah, it’s hard to hide an affair once the WIFE starts getting STDs...”

Delilah snickered.

But then…Malice started showing them what she had done. Delilah’s hand flew to her mouth. Her wide eyes looked at Diana as she blinked away tears. Malice had killed a baby in its crib. With no remorse. How could someone be that cold? What makes a person able to do something like that? Delilah was horrified, despite knowing who Malice what and the things she had done in the past. It was hard to believe ANYONE capable of such cruelty. And to just SHOW them all this…unashamedly…

Monster…

Delilah wiped her face. She knew Malice would hear her thoughts and she didn’t care.

“So, what you’re telling us…is that you DID know last night who this woman was and you LIED to us then. Great. So glad we came back here.”

She sank down in the chair again.

“So, what’s next? Where do we even START to look for this woman?”

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Mansion

Oh and for those of you who THINK this is "OUR problem?" I hope that you will use that to justify yourselves after the dozens if not HUNDREDS of innocents she will undoubtedly DESTROY due to your eagerness to try to one up US. Face it, scouts...WE are not "charged" with protecting the innocent. that is YOUR job and if you want to become just as GUILTY by your inaction as you think WE are for our past link to her...then be my guest! She's already caused deaths on United States soil at LAX and she's responsible for outbreaks around the globe.

“Holy shit – Diana was young once. Amazing! When was that, like in the 20s? Did you wear those flapper dresses with all the fringe?!”

She sat down in an available chair and put her feet up on a counter, smiling over at Malice.


But then…Malice started showing them what she had done. Delilah’s hand flew to her mouth. Her wide eyes looked at Diana as she blinked away tears. Malice had killed a baby in its crib. With no remorse. How could someone be that cold? What makes a person able to do something like that? Delilah was horrified, despite knowing who Malice what and the things she had done in the past. It was hard to believe ANYONE capable of such cruelty. And to just SHOW them all this…unashamedly…

Monster…

Delilah wiped her face. She knew Malice would hear her thoughts and she didn’t care.

::Malice smiled with smug satisfaction as she caught the emotions AND thoughts of Delilah and the others who were APPALLED at Diana's actions in the flashback. ::

responding outloud to Delilah's thought : ah yes, but I'm a monster who KNOWS what she is. Can the same be said for YOU Saint Trelevan? Be carefull, for as you strive to be BETTER than this "monster", you may have missed the fact that you are more than on your way to becoming one YOURSELF.

:elilah would remember what Malice said to her last night::

I would have SO MUCH FUN perverting you and your sense of "self" and leading you down a path that was BEYOND unconscionable for one such as you...and then LEAVING YOU with the memories of just how twisted and corrupt you became. I wouldnt have to do anything else TO you...because you'd most likely KILL YOURSELF knowing you were as FAKE as the man you loved with all your heart...the one you still dream about now.

“So, what you’re telling us…is that you DID know last night who this woman was and you LIED to us then. Great. So glad we came back here.”

I would have been "glad" if your father had been sterilized before the night he laid down with your broodmare...i mean your mother.

:: Malice said in a casual tone as she took a moment to examine her well manicured, metallic painted finger nails.::

But since THAT ship has long since sailed...


:: She looked Delilah in the eye.::

NO I wasnt lying. But i certainly wasnt going to respond on an unsubstantiated FEELING last night. That child has been MISSING IN ACTION for over 20 years. She was placed in suspended animation and apparently SURVIVED. If this is indeed her...her reappearence is as much of a surprise to me as anyone else.

“So, what’s next? Where do we even START to look for this woman?”

So busy trying to win the latest round in the "battle of the bitches" that you forgot how much of a dense idiot you are? didnt your precious Alycia tell you where SHE was going?

Sheena Island?

:: Malice had more information for them.::

I'd love to use simple words and syllables to make it more clear to you but since there isnt enough TIME for that...allow us to pull up the information.

 

[MorningStar]

Oh and for those of you who THINK this is "OUR problem?" I hope that you will use that to justify yourselves after the dozens if not HUNDREDS of innocents she will undoubtedly DESTROY due to your eagerness to try to one up US.

Delilah shook her head.

“Don’t pretend like you suddenly CARE about innocents. If you want our help, fine. If you don’t, fine. WE’LL take care of the innocents, either way. But can we please stop going in circles? It just makes us have to be in the same room together longer.”

Ah yes, but I'm a monster who KNOWS what she is. Can the same be said for YOU Saint Trelevan? Be careful, for as you strive to be BETTER than this "monster", you may have missed the fact that you are more than on your way to becoming one YOURSELF.

Delilah stood and took a slow step towards Malice, taking her measure. She looked her directly in the eyes as she spoke.

“I could never be like you, Diana. I have a conscience for one, and I don’t have to control people with my powers to get them to be in the same room as me for another. You’re just a sad, washed up old bag and everyone here knows it.”

I would have been "glad" if your father had used a condom the night he laid down with your broodmare...I mean your mother.

Delilah laughed out loud.

“That comment was too sad for words. Sad and pathetic. Though I’d hate to see what sludge you crawled out of when you were spawned.”

So busy trying to win the latest round in the "battle of the bitches" that you forgot how much of a dense idiot you are? Didn’t your precious Alycia tell you where SHE was going? Sheena Island?

Delilah sighed.

“Diana, if anyone is trying to show what a big bitch they are, it’s you. I’m just sorting through all the crap coming out of your mouth trying to find something relevant.”

She turned to the rest of the Six, now ignoring Malice.

“We can’t follow Alycia without her go-ahead. She’ll never forgive us if we do.”

 

[Black Widow]

Diana: Oh and for those of you who THINK this is "OUR problem?" I hope that you will use that to justify yourselves after the dozens if not HUNDREDS of innocents she will undoubtedly DESTROY due to your eagerness to try to one up US. Face it, scouts...WE are not "charged" with protecting the innocent. that is YOUR job and if you want to become just as GUILTY by your inaction as you think WE are for our past link to her...then be my guest! She's already caused deaths on United States soil at LAX and she's responsible for outbreaks around the globe.

They were saviors, but that didn't mean they were saints. Haleigh was almost to the point of saying 'fuck my 'job', I don't enjoy it anyway and its not like they're paying me in any currency except STRIFE'… but she knew this was a DEPLORABLE thing to think and so she put a stop to it. She knew she had a problem when she could tell herself that a few hundred dead humans wasn't that big a deal. They're only human. but then…. That's where it starts. It was difficult to be noble. Malice got to be smug. She got to spit on the people who cared. Haleigh didn't care as much as she thought she should, especially with Malice constantly antagonizing them, but she cared enough about her 'family' to care about the mission entrusted to them.

Delilah: Holy shit – Diana was young once. Amazing! When was that, like in the 20s? Did you wear those flapper dresses with all the fringe?!

[giggles] "I bet she had one of those funky flat/wavy/bob looking haircuts."

Delilah: Yeah, it’s hard to hide an affair once the WIFE starts getting STDs…

"And why divorce her when you can just get the 'other woman' to do your wet work for you?"

Diana: I would have been 'glad' if your father had used a condom the night he laid down with your broodmare… I mean your mother. But THAT ship has long since sailed…

"First guilt trips, now 'yo mama' jokes? What's the matter Malice, are you getting desperate? Your tactics aren't up to their usual standards."

Diana: NO I wasnt lying. But i certainly wasnt going to respond on an unsubstantiated FEELING last night. That child has been MISSING IN ACTION for over 20 years. She was placed in suspended animation and apparently SURVIVED.

"DUH."

Diana: If this is indeed her… her reappearance is as much of a surprise to me as anyone else.

"Yes, what a surprise… yet ANOTHER loose end you left, flapping in the wind, just LAUGHING at you."

Diana: didn't your precious Alycia tell you were SHE was going? Sheena Island?

"Gee, I'm sensing a connection here… say, Diana, do you have more information you'd like to share? By all means, do continue to AMAZE us with your erudition."

Delilah: We can’t follow Alycia without her go-ahead. She’ll never forgive us if we do.

"Well, what Delilah means is that we're TRYING to respect Alycia's wishes. However…. If we were to happen to end up on Sheena Island…. Chasing our OWN baddie for our own reason… then what a coinkydink!"

 

[Seer]

moving along

<< Malice silently beckoned Delilah...like a steel trap just WAITING to spring. to DISSOLVE the truce by posessing Delilah and FORCING HER to kill one of her own teammates. It was all Malice could do NOT to give into her predator instinct even as she had managed to Delilah's skin.>>

<< the animosity in the room was palpable, with neither side giving an inch. Delilah, more than ever was showing sides of herself that were a FAR cry than what she was known for. Was it simply her trying to take Malice at her measure? Or was it a symptom of something deeper? Perhaps Malice's words were more telling than even Delilah dared to think. They certainly hadnt heeded Malice's outright WARNING about Black Widow's struggle with the VIRUS and now with the idea of a woman who could have COMPLETE control over that virus looming on the horizon they STILL didnt get that picture, but Malice did and she had already discussed it with her fellow Queens. They might not ever have to make a move against the Six in this caper because the TRUE danger, AGAIN, was from within their own ranks. Not from Silver Swan, not from "Set Jr." or even MorningStar.>>

<< Still, Malice had offered a crucial bit of background on the identity of their green eyed woman. JESSICA, as in JESSICA MARCUS, the apparent daughter and mutant prodigy of James Marcus who had been deliberately infected with an earlier, pure version of the T virus and HIDDEN AWAY in suspended animation for over 20 years was quite possibly ALIVE and in FULL EFFECT! This posed a problem for BOTH teams, which side had the greater burden was IRRELEVANT as BOTH sides would be effected as MORE AND MORE of the past was returning to haunt them in various ways. Jessica Marcus was posessed of vast intelligence and was visibly more than a little derranged, posessing a "child like" aspect about herself when last she appeared before them. One could only GUESS how much WORSE her full presentation might be.>>

<< and even as Alycia and Silver Swan, who had elected to travel WITH Alycia to this "Sheena Island" were on their way, Malice, Isis and Enchantra began to pull up information on a place that was UNKNOWN to the world at large and had even escaped the notice of Harbinger and Black Widow.>>

 

[Isis]

Hellfire Mansion

[ Isis noted the INCREASED defiance of The Six. She surmised that this was their way of "defending themselves" against Malice's ability to easily highlight their flaws, shortcomings and utter failures and offer them up for humiliating scrutiny. Though they laughed as Malice lamented Delilah's very birth...Of Isis herself recalled how SHE had once secretly blamed/resented her sister for not only becoming pregnant with a "demonspawn" and ignoring her pleas to carry IT to term! Part of her NEVER forgave her sister for sacrificing herself to "loose Nicolas on the world". BUT that was then...this was now. As ANNOYING and TRIFLING as Delilah and Haleigh were...onward they must go and if some how managing to STOMACH them was required...for NOW...then so be it.]

If you two are quite finished giggling like stupid little school girls, kindly direct your feeble minds and attention spans toward the floating screens.


[ Isis spoke, hoping they'd shut their mouths for once and stop trying to win a battle of wits in which they where hopeless out gunned.]

Sheena Island, according to our files, cross referenced with the data bases from Mystech's files...was a top secret island located deep in the Indian Ocean. The Island is owned outright by Mystech Corporation, and sovereign. and in addition to state of the art laboratories, it contains an entire metropolis city and a...

[ blue print images and moving video images flash and flow across the screens]

an exact replica of Arklay Mansion from top to bottom.

The residents of Sheena Island were either Mystech leaders/executives or their relatives. The island has remained unaffected by the events leading to Mystech's downfall in America and London but there has been no recording transmission or communication with the Island's "Commander" , Vincent Goldman in several years now.

[ looking at Malice.]

Jessica probably eliminated him and has taken control of the Island herself.

 

[Malice]

Hellfire Mansion

:: Malice showed no signs of tiring or defeat as MorningStar and Black Widow stood their ground. IF she couldnt KILL them right now, she certainly wouldnt make anything ELSE about their interactions EASY for them, why should she? She had LESS to lose than THEY did, being that they WERE the "saviors". But one thing was different this time, since RETURNING to her proper timeline after losing her ORIGINAL body at the hands of Spellbinder, Malice had discovered the value and IMPORTANCE of teamwork. It was the knowledge she gained from her alternate's timeline that caused her to bring "Sisterhood" to life here and lead them to a STRONG victory over the Six during their debut in the Set caper.::

:: To HELL with the Six and what would happen to them once their precious Davidoff succumbed to the virus and became JUST ANOTHER BIO HAZARD in FACT as well as in theory, but Malice would see to it that she AND her fellow Queens survived this...not to mention the Hellfire Club itself, which was no longer in league with Mystech and had disavowed all public connections with them following MasterMold & Blackout.::

:: There was something else too....though Delilah suggested she had no friends...in truth she did, in Enchantra and to a much lesser degree but one just the same, Isis. They were her only friends and allies....she could never work with anyone else...ESPECIALLY a man, not after what she ENDURED with Lord Spencer and James Marcus.::

:: ENDURED...which was not something one might have imagined she would feel about her time at Arklay mansion but beneath her diamond form and heart...they lay hidden emotions and feelings and the one that dominated them ALL when it came to Marcus and his child were REPULSION AND DISGUST. there was a secret there....but would she EVER let it be known, even to her fellow Queens?::

:: She hid her own churning thoughts and feelings as Isis began the briefing of Sheena Island and then...::

Vincent is dead. I heard his death cry on the astral plane months ago.

There have also been INCREASED reports of abductions, specifically men ages 8 though 21 of all races and background from across the globe. If this is Jessica, she's most likely trying to carry on her father's work while also showcasing that she's SURPASSED him in many ways.

If your precious Alycia has gone there, even WITH Sharon Kelly by her side...she's doomed.

 

[Persephone]

Arriving back at the Hellfire Club after being summoned by Malice, immediately upon arrival it was like they never left. Delilah, Haleigh, and Delilah all went head to head. Ava just stood waiting for a break in the bickering to see why the hell they were called there in the first place. It was then soon revealed that the mysterious green eyed woman was James Marcus' daughter, Jessica. Fabulous.

Malice: If your precious Alycia has gone there, even WITH Sharon Kelly by her side...she's doomed.

"Alycia's made it perfectly clear to us that she doesn't want our help. She'll just have to reap what she sews."

A cold statement on Ava's part, but Alycia made her bed by refusing the six's help, therefore she'd now have to sleep in it.

"How has this island stayed hidden for the past 20 years? Is there some sort of cloaking technology used?"

 

[Prophet]

Cameron listened to the back and forthe between Delilah, Haleigh and Malice, with wonder. Each of them was dishing it up and serving it out, and throughout most of it, Cameron kept his mouth shut. He was learning that the more you spoke to Diana, the more she could draw out of you, the easier you were to bait, and so by not saying much of anything, besides that which pertained to the task at hand, the less irate you got and the more information you got from Malice.

Still, others had their own way and he waited until Malice began to explain this mystery woman, Jessica Marcus. All seemed fine and well until Malice began to explain the fact that she had killed Jessica's mother and baby brother.

"That WOMAN..."

Not so much her but all women in MysTech, his mother included. The power these men seemed to hold over them. Killing CHILDREN, some of whom were their OWN in order to advance themselves, gain favor, gain power? Cameron had wanted power and fame very much so at one point in his life, but he didn't know if he would ever be capable of retrieving it the ways that Malice or Kelly King had, though deep down, a part of him knew that it was VERY much a possibility.

She had been placed in suspended animation and infected with the T virus, and dissappeared for over 20 years, only now she was bigger and badder than ever, with COMPLETE control over the virus that affected her as well as her own mutant abilities. This was not good news. This woman could potentially effect the WORLD with what she was capable of and was truly the heiress to the MysTech throne.

Once again, they received a little more information on Sheena Island. Basically it was like a private island for MysTech elite, safe from the government and society, where they could reach NEW depths of depravation.

"I guess my question would be, what was Marcus' work? Did he have an endgame? Or is she just operating on pure insanity at this point? She's like you said, highly intelligent, she must have some kind of "plan" in place.."

[furrowing his brow]

"Furthermore, i'm not sure this is the safest place for ANY of us to go, especially Haleigh. This woman has complete control over the T Virus. She see's Haleigh... BAM. Haleigh is doomed. She could enhance the virus, spread it faster, before Haleigh has time to adapt, and I don't like this one bit."

[looking over at the group]

"But we very well can't NOT go. It's what we do. Alycia and Sharon are there, and we can't let this Jessica do whatever she plans on doing? Malice, what are her abilities? Did she show them at that young of an age?"

 

[Malice]

hellfire mansion

The same way Arklay Mansion stayed relatively hidden and unscrutinized for well over 20 years.

:: Malice said as she crossed one leg over the other at the knee and leaned back in her chair looking like she was deep in thought for a moment.::

The island was owned by mystech and not subject to any outside authority.

Isis: and according to this, YOUR father supplied the hardware that allowed them to create and consistently update the cloaking devices they DO have on the island, along with all communication tools and even their satelite in space.

[ Isis added, referring to Ava's father, Stavros.]

Malice: Oh Isis, you spoiled my fun! :: feigning disappointment in her tone:: I was just about to suggest we ASK him...oh waiiitttt....that's right, Alycia killed him. Didnt she? sent him flying right out of Illustra and splattering all over the ground for everyone to see.

Is that why you hate her so much? :: referring to Ava's cold statement about Alycia.::

A very anticlimatic end for a man once SO VALULABLE "to the cause". Oh how i remember the wicked light in his eyes when he harvested PATRICK PHILLIPS for the super soldier project...using his own daughters to further Mystech's agenda.


:: turning in her chair to face Ava::

Is that why you want to abandon Alycia to her fate...why you PRAY to see her dead? hmmm preferrably mauled by a zombie or two? Realizing her deepest fear and satisfying YOUR idea of justice?

Funny you should be so concerned about "writing a wrong" when you share the body of a woman who murdered a man in such a callous way that would even make Set look like disney character. But "BOTH of you" have spilled alot of blood havent you? I'm sure Michael Armstrong remembers it well.

But i suppose that is the nature of passing through the siege perilous. You become a "blended being" with two faces, two thought patterns... and you become a two faced hypocrate as well.

:: Looking at Ava and winking before looking as if she hadnt said anything that could be possibly offensive.::

Just an observation.


I hope you're as willing and able to do so when you're own sister becomes a bio hazard in FACT as well as in theory. we'll see how deep the blood runs THEN won't we?


The Island belongs to Mystech, which I suppose means now that Jessica has taken control of the island.

:: Malice said with disinterest as she returned her attention to the floating monitors that flowed around them in a circular pattern showing geological stats of Sheena Island.::

"I guess my question would be, what was Marcus' work? Did he have an endgame? Or is she just operating on pure insanity at this point? She's like you said, highly intelligent, she must have some kind of "plan" in place.."

How should I know what she wants? or even CARE for that matter. She was Marcus' child...and indulged in EVERYway possible. He was merely "fattening" her up so that he could use her just as he would use ANYONE to further his scientific endeavors. I think the only THINGS he loved where his leeches, the creatures that gave him the breakthrough in discovering the T Virus.

:: she said with with a detatched tone as she betrayed the faintest hint of disgust.::

[furrowing his brow]

"Furthermore, i'm not sure this is the safest place for ANY of us to go, especially Haleigh. This woman has complete control over the T Virus. She see's Haleigh... BAM. Haleigh is doomed. She could enhance the virus, spread it faster, before Haleigh has time to adapt, and I don't like this one bit."

well finally ONE of them seems to have gotten a clue...but it wont change anything.

:: she thought smugly::

[looking over at the group]

"But we very well can't NOT go. It's what we do. Alycia and Sharon are there, and we can't let this Jessica do whatever she plans on doing? Malice, what are her abilities? Did she show them at that young of an age?"

Jessica's mutant abilities were not clearly defined. She disappeared before she reached puberty which is when a mutant's powers usually manifest. All I could tell from my scans of her at that time was that she carried the mutant x gene without a doubt and that her intellect, comprehension, adaptability and physical skills were HIGHLY advanced. But THAT was not her mutation. We have no file on her here because we've not encountered her in combat or otherwise.

:: Malice and Isis BOTH waited to see how the others would respond on the subject of Sharon and Alycia, KNOWING how many of them felt about those two.::



:: Secretly, On the one hand, she didnt CARE what Jessica did or even if Mystech was trying to reassert itself in the guise of "WilPharma". The Six could try and DIE trying to deal with her and saving "scores of innocents." But She was OVER Mystech a long time ago. She cut her losses after the "Blackout" fiasco which had all but sealed Mystech's doom on the heels of Master Mold. BUT Jessica represented something she hadnt accounted for, James Marcus indirectly getting the LAST LAUGH after all. Through it all...he was at the beginning, and now his flesh and blood was potentially the END. NO! It shouldnt be that way. SHE had endured so much, LOST so much in her early years...CLAWED her way to the top and now had the power the prestige to proove it. But Jessica, even as a CHILD was insufferable to Diana...she got WHATEVER she wanted and NOW? she was poised to be a threat even to THE SISTERHOOD on a direct, face to face basis...and THAT, Malice wouldnt stand for. She didnt want any part of the past....HER past out there to interfere with HER::

 

[MorningStar]

If you two are quite finished giggling like stupid little school girls…

“At least we can remember being schoolgirls…” she murmured.

The stress on Delilah was wearing her thin. Not sleeping well – and a general lack of sleep – fighting with Sharon, Alycia’s changed attitude towards them, Morgan and Alison being gone…it was all taking its toll and she was close to cracking. Too close. But she had to hold it together for the team, and she had to try and protect them from Malice. Haleigh might be able to say that words were just words, but Malice was dangerous, truce or not, and she knew how to manipulate people. And that could be just as dangerous as her active powers. So as much of Malice’s ire she could draw to herself and away from the others – especially Cameron – the better. She could take it.

As for Haleigh…Delilah trusted her, she was their team leader. Their real one, as opposed to Sharon. She knew Haleigh could handle the virus inside her, as she had for so long already. Until Haleigh gave Delilah a reason to doubt her, she wasn’t going to take one of Malice’s low blows for the truth.

The others didn’t seem to care much about staying away from Alycia. As for Delilah, the Sisterhood seemed way too interested in sending them to an island owned and controlled by MysTech.

Malice started to get off track again with Ava and Haleigh and comments about their father…

Delilah snapped her fingers a couple of times.

“Focus.”

Malice told them the little else she knew about Jessica.

Delilah looked over at Haleigh.

“So what do you think? I’m not that jazzed about heading blind into a MysTech stronghold. Think there’s any other way to draw her out in the open? But Cameron’s right – we can’t just leave Alycia and Sharon there. If they don’t come back on their own…we’re going to have to go in and get them.”

Turning to Nicolas…

“I know Alycia’s been blocking us somehow, but can you try to get her a message that she’s in danger from this Jessica person? At least she and Sharon can be prepared then.”

 

[Persephone]

Isis: and according to this, YOUR father supplied the hardware that allowed them to create and consistently update the cloaking devices they DO have on the island, along with all communication tools and even their satelite in space.

Ava nodded, not surprised that it was Cassadine Enterprises technology that shielded Sheena Island from the world.

"I figured as much."

Malice: Oh Isis, you spoiled my fun! :: feigning disappointment in her tone:: I was just about to suggest we ASK him...oh waiiitttt....that's right, Alycia killed him. Didnt she? sent him flying right out of Illustra and splattering all over the ground for everyone to see.

Ava didn't react physically, she remained even faced as she stared at Malice through narrowed eyes. However the telepath would pick up a instant increase in anger wash over her body as she brought up her father and Alycia killing him. She may have had a damn good poker face, but there was no hiding her reaction from Malice.

Malice: Is that why you hate her so much?

"Yes."

Malice: Is that why you want to abandon Alycia to her fate...why you PRAY to see her dead? hmmm preferrably mauled by a zombie or two? Realizing her deepest fear and satisfying YOUR idea of justice?

"No, flesh hungry zombies are more your forte, Diana. I prefer doing it myself. But if Alycia happens to die while on Sheena Island, i'll loose no tears on her behalf."

Malice: Funny you should be so concerned about "writing a wrong" when you share the body of a woman who murdered a man in such a callous way that would even make Set look like disney character. But "BOTH of you" have spilled alot of blood havent you? I'm sure Michael Armstrong remembers it well.

[with an annoyed sigh] "I"m sure he does."

Malice: But i suppose that is the nature of passing through the siege perilous. You become a "blended being" with two faces, two thought patterns... and you become a two faced hypocrate as well.

Opening her mouth to respond, Delilah quickly snapped her fingers to get everyone's attention and to focus back on the subject at hand. Glaring at Malice, everything she said was true. She spilt much blood in her life--BOTH of them--yet she stands there as apart of this 'super hero' team trying to be a better person. Perhaps she was a hypocrite for thinking she could change--for disliking a woman [Malice] whom she was very much alike. Glancing away from Diana, she looked to Haleigh for a moment as she listened to Cameron explain how she would be a walking target once on Sheena Island. With the TO Virus corsing through her blood, no one knew the extent of the damage that could be done by Jessica to Haleigh. And even worse, she knew Haleigh felt that she was somehow "loosing" herself to the virus.

Snapping back to reality as Delilah asked Nicolas a question, Ava interjected.

Delilah: “I know Alycia’s been blocking us somehow, but can you try to get her a message that she’s in danger from this Jessica person? At least she and Sharon can be prepared then.”

"If I recall correctly, Sharon's mind is somehow shielded as well. If Nicolas can't get a message to her [glancing at Malice] maybe you could."

 

[Prophet]

Delilah: So what do you think? I’m not that jazzed about heading blind into a MysTech stronghold. Think there’s any other way to draw her out in the open? But Cameron’s right – we can’t just leave Alycia and Sharon there. If they don’t come back on their own…we’re going to have to go in and get them.

"We don't have the luxury of time on our side. We have to go in. The Sisterhood has given us the schematics of the island, and if there is any records on the place at all, Haleigh can find them, perhaps extract whatever she was able to from Ron Davis' computer?"

Cameron pondered for a moment before continuing. His pupils dilating for a moment.

"Alycia and Sharon aren't going to be safe. From what I can tell from all accounts is that it is very LIKELY they both won't return safely. Even if we all go, I can't say from what i've seen that we won't ALL die there..."

He walked over to the hallway and leaned against the wall.

"That being said. I'm sick of the back and forthe between everyone. The Sisterhood has their own agenda, and while we may not like ANY of them, The time for bickering is OVER. We have a woman who could possibly ressurect MysTech. THAT cancels out past grudges for the moment... We need to assemble a team, and GO to Sheena Island."

[sighing]

"If it's in the best interest of the Sisterhood to go, they will, because more than one of them has MORE than a personal stake in this, and that even if they kill all of us, they WILL go after the Sisterhood. But as for US.. Haleigh... I just don't think it's best for you to go.."

 

[Black Widow]

Dominique: The Island is owned outright by Mystech Corporation, and sovereign. and in addition to state of the art laboratories, it contains an entire metropolis city and ……. an exact replica of Arklay Mansion from top to bottom.

"Fuck my luck."

Diana: There have also been INCREASED reports of abductions, specifically men ages 8 though 21 of all races and background from across the globe. If this is Jessica, she's most likely trying to carry on her father's work while also showcasing that she's SURPASSED him in many ways.

"What do you think she's doing with them, building some kind of zombie army?"

Diana: If your precious Alycia has gone there, even WITH Sharon Kelly by her side… she's doomed.

Ava: Alycia's made it perfectly clear to us that she doesn't want our help. She'll just have to reap what she sows.

"As harsh as it sounds, my sister is right. Maybe Alycia's doomed, maybe she isn't… but she's not our PRIMARY concern. We have Jessica Marcus to deal with. If Alycia benefits from that, good. If we're too late… or too distracted to help her, then all we can say is that she made HER decision. She CHOSE to go ahead without us."

They discuss the island some more, and Jessica's probable reign there. Malice tries to bait Haleigh with a comment about Patrick, but Haleigh is bored with the game and unaffected by the implication anyways, so she lets it go without reply. Cameron is the first to bring up the very significant matter of Haleigh's susceptibility to Jessica's control. Haleigh thinks it over, sighing gently and sitting down in a high backed leather conference chair. None of the Six seemed to want to lend credibility to his case by commenting. Even the Sisterhood remained strangely silent on the matter. Haleigh was torn. Her pride told her she could handle it.... but rationally, objectively, she knew she ALREADY had a problem.

"So little faith you have in me, Cameron. I have a lot of fight left in me, you know. It's possible that by being there, I could undermine or counteract her abilities."

Cameron: We need to assemble a team, and GO to Sheena Island. [sighing] If it's in the best interest of the Sisterhood to go, they will, because more than one of them has MORE than a personal stake in this, and that even if they kill all of us, they WILL go after the Sisterhood. But as for US.. Haleigh... I just don't think it's best for you to go…

"What would you have me do? Sit here twiddling my thumbs? I'm supposed to send the four of you out there, blind, with THEM [the sisterhood], after a psychopath at the helm of a corporation we know almost NOTHING about while I stay back, safe and sound, and what, cheerlead? HOW can you expect me to be okay with that? Morgan left me in charge-- I'm RESPONSIBLE for each and every one of you. I don't know if I can just… wave goodbye. And then…. hope you all come back?"

She ran her hands through her hair, shaking her head gently. She didn't know how to handle this. She was concerned enough that she didn't want to FORCE herself into it in the event that he turned out to be RIGHT… but staying behind didn't seem like a viable option.

[to the Six] "Alright, we need to settle this quickly and fairly. Let's put it to a vote, gang. Cameron raises a valid point. It's…. Remotely possible that I may become a… liability on Sheena Island. I could pose a very dangerous threat to all of you. No one wants that… so I'll understand if you all decide that I should stay behind. I won't LIKE it… but I'll understand. Obviously Cameron votes that I stay. I'd much rather go. Delilah, Ava, Nicolas, what do you think?"

 

[MorningStar]

"If I recall correctly, Sharon's mind is somehow shielded as well. If Nicolas can't get a message to her [glancing at Malice] maybe you could."

Delilah scoffs, then holds up her hands and bows her head in an "I surrender" motion.

Cameron stood up, and from Delilah’s view, he seemed to be admonishing THEM and defending The Sisterhood. Just cause they’re evil they get a pass on behavior? But she didn’t dwell on it. They did need to move on.

As harsh as it sounds, my sister is right. Maybe Alycia's doomed, maybe she isn't… but she's not our PRIMARY concern. We have Jessica Marcus to deal with. If Alycia benefits from that, good. If we're too late… or too distracted to help her, then all we can say is that she made HER decision. She CHOSE to go ahead without us."

Delilah looked hard at her.

“She didn't choose to DIE, Haleigh. Jessica Marcus is out to kill Alycia – stopping Jessica means preventing that from happening.” Her tone softened.

“Look, I understand you want to support your sister, and her feelings about Alycia, but I’m NOT going to just shrug and leave her to the wolves. And despite any problems we might be having right now, Sharon is there on that island too. She’s a member of this team and I’m not just going to write her off because she’s not our ‘Primary Concern’.”

Cameron and Haleigh discussed the efficacy of Haleigh’s presence with them on the island. Delilah nodded.

“Haleigh's right. If we leave her behind, there's nothing to say that this "Jessica" won't attack her wherever she is. We should stay together - and we'll just have to deal with whatever happens as it comes.”

"Alright, we need to settle this quickly and fairly. Let's put it to a vote, gang. Cameron raises a valid point. It's…. Remotely possible that I may become a… liability on Sheena Island. I could pose a very dangerous threat to all of you. No one wants that… so I'll understand if you all decide that I should stay behind. I won't LIKE it… but I'll understand. Obviously Cameron votes that I stay. I'd much rather go. Delilah, Ava, Nicolas, what do you think?"

Delilah held up her hand.

“No, no, no way. We are NOT deciding this with a ‘show of hands’. That’s NOT how we do things. [slaps her hand on the table] The right thing to do is for us all to stay together, just like we always do. If Haleigh stays behind, so do I.”

 

[Prophet]

Haleigh: So little faith you have in me, Cameron. I have a lot of fight left in me, you know. It's possible that by being there, I could undermine or counteract her abilities.

"I've got more faith in you Haleigh than you might think, but it's also possible she could render you useless and DEAD. You want to take that chance?"

Haleigh:What would you have me do? Sit here twiddling my thumbs? I'm supposed to send the four of you out there, blind, with THEM [the sisterhood], after a psychopath at the helm of a corporation we know almost NOTHING about while I stay back, safe and sound, and what, cheerlead? HOW can you expect me to be okay with that? Morgan left me in charge-- I'm RESPONSIBLE for each and every one of you. I don't know if I can just… wave goodbye. And then…. hope you all come back?

Delilah: Haleigh's right. If we leave her behind, there's nothing to say that this "Jessica" won't attack her wherever she is. We should stay together - and we'll just have to deal with whatever happens as it comes.

[rubbing his face with his hands]

"Look, I don't just speak to hear myself talk. I'm not trying to be an asshole here, i'm trying to keep the situation safe for all of us. Anyone here who feels like they are going to be able to pull the trigger on Haleigh when she becomes a zombie, speak up now.."

Haleigh: Alright, we need to settle this quickly and fairly. Let's put it to a vote, gang. Cameron raises a valid point. It's…. Remotely possible that I may become a… liability on Sheena Island. I could pose a very dangerous threat to all of you. No one wants that… so I'll understand if you all decide that I should stay behind. I won't LIKE it… but I'll understand. Obviously Cameron votes that I stay. I'd much rather go. Delilah, Ava, Nicolas, what do you think?

Delilah:No, no, no way. We are NOT deciding this with a ‘show of hands’. That’s NOT how we do things. [slaps her hand on the table] The right thing to do is for us all to stay together, just like we always do. If Haleigh stays behind, so do I.

"Fine. FINE. You're right, this has never been a democracy. [laughs] I get where BOTH of you are coming from, I really do, but just because we are a team and we stick together does NOT erase the very real possibility that ONE of US might have to END Haleigh's life in a few hours. Sorry for trying to spare anyone's conscience of THAT..."

[slams his fist at the wall]

"FUCK!"

[pausing for a moment]

"Sorry. Really.. i'm just trying to find a way to get everyone out of this alive. I don't want to separate us, but I don't want to put us in any MORE danger than what we are already going to face."

 

[Isis]

descision

[ Dominique watched the Six and her face showed growing disapproval. Haleigh was a contemptable woman, how ANYONE could trust their back with HER was beyond Dominique. If she wasnt convinced BEFORE, she was NOW. Nicolas did NOT belong with them. The toxicity of their group dynamic was not helping him in his quest, his DUTY to keep himself together in order to keep SET at bay. They didnt DESERVE HIM or the power and gifts he possessed. Even if SHE had mixed feelings about HIM personally, he was STILL her responsibility beyond aunt/nephew. She was ISIS and SHE was charged with keeping the world safe from SET. THAT trumped EVERYTHING else...even her allignment with the Sisterhood.]

Regardless of what YOU decide to do, I will be accompanying you. It is OBVIOUS to me that you as a team are not FIT to have Nicolas among you and left to your own devices, the possibility of his emotional/mental break down or DEATH and ultimately the return of SET seems to be ever greater. Nicolas is MY flesh and blood, he is MY responsibility and when this is over, I will see to it that he is REMOVED from your ranks. You don't deserve him. Some of you don't deserve ANYONE'S trust.

[ that last part was a remark aimed at Haleigh and Ava especially. Regardless of which "side" she was on, Isis could see the STRAIN Delilah was under and the utter lack of support she was getting, she could see the same thing about Nicolas. Their team was a mess and it showed whether they wanted to admit it or not. Foolish indeed. Whatever they thought...however BETTER they thought they were over the Sisterhood, the SISTERHOOD had presented a united front and would continue to do so. However Haleigh would brush this off, it was a telling blow that Isis had decided to not only involve herself but had declared that when this was over, however it came to be...Nicolas would NOT be with them anymore. Yet ANOTHER team member lost...yet ANOTHER thing Haleigh would have to explain to Morgan, IF she even survived HERSELF. ]

I am also not going to allow my colleague, Malice to face any threat alone. What effects her, effects the Sisterhood and ultimately the Hellfire Club. Since I have been apart of this establishment, there has been no allegiance to "Mystech". THAT was clearly before my time and from what I have learned of it...

[ she looks at her fellow Queens]

any possible return of it...in any form will CERTAINLY be of negative consequence to US. It would serve our interests if at least TWO of us go. Enchantra, you can stay behind and protect the mansion and our holdings and provide us with any critical information via com link.

[ the other obvious FACT was that the Six had no HEALER among them now, with no magick users present. Isis, the avatar for the egyptian goddess of magick and rebirth, is the ONLY person who can fill that gap and fill it quite well for this mission.]

 

[Malice]

oh and...

:: Malice, Isis and Enchantra stood together as a united front, each one posed and clearly focused on their "guests" as they couldnt even get themselves together on a course of action. It was a VERY sad sight to see. If Spellbinder had thought Black Widow was the girl for the job of leader, she obviously missed a VERY important memo about "trust" and "credibility". They were so busy trying to proove to MALICE and the Sisterhood that THEY didnt "effect" them but Diana KNEW her words had struck and struck deeply, why ELSE would Prophet voice concer about Haleigh accompanying them on this mission and Delilah...poor sweet, "purity chalice" herself...she was under more strain than ANY of them save perhaps Nicolas might realize. She was so busy trying to SHIELD them from Malice that she seemed to MISS the fact that she was playing RIGHT INTO Malice's hands. Ava and Haleigh were showing their true colors about Alycia and Sharon and Isis had decided that Nicolas' time with this team was OVER and even Diana knew that Dominique would deal with ANYONE who stood in her way of handling Nicolas and the threat of Set. By the time this was over, Morgan would have ANYONE left alive...physically OR mentally to come back to on that team :fdevil: ::

Prophet HAS a point. Think with your heads and not your emotions. Black Widow is SHARK BAIT to Jessica Marcus. The child has already declared she wants Black Widow AND Silver Swan back. Your Silver Swan may already be captured, and if she gets ahold of Black Widow and sets them BOTH against you...whatEVER will you do THEN?

:: of COURSE Haleigh offered more pridefull bravado but Malice saw RIGHT through it and she knew that Cameron wasnt convinced totally either. He was smarter than they gave him credit for...and perhaps now he understood what it felt like to be in his SISTER'S shoes. No one heeded HER warning before the Inferno and an entire city, indeed the WORLD nearly paid for it. Beneath Haleigh's bravado, there were thoughts, feelings and EMOTIONS. with every heart beat, they marched closer and closer to FEAR of a very real possibility. Malice saw it clearly and looked at Haleigh, THROUGH HER even as they talked on.::

If Jessica wants to see me, who am I to deny her a reunion with her beloved
"Auntie"?? :: taking a moment to admire her own fashionable outfit. Diana had rapid fire flashes of images, memories, moments...in the mansion, Marcus, Lord Spencer, HERSELF...shades of red, black...moments of violence and blackmail. The more she thought of it...the closer it brought her back to her OWN roots...the beginning of her OWN history of what would become Mystech. EVERYONE had to start somewhere. EVERYONE had LOSS and TRAUMA that caused a turning point in their life and now, Malice was getting to the point where she'd have to...REMEMBER HER'S. Jessica Marcus was the ultimate reminder that her REVENGE and BETRAYAL of James Marcus wasnt as thorough as she thought. It was a loose end that she had to TIE UP!::

Now that her DADDY isnt here, i can BUST HER SKULL just like i did her mother and her brother. :fdevil:

:: it had been a WHILE since Diana had an honest to goodness FIGHT with someone who could apparently TAKE the punishment she was prepared to dish out and so while the Six scrambled to find their resolve, Diana already began to think about what lay ahead in this GRUDGE MATCH and Isis backed her, prooving that The Sisterhood were a STRONG united front. Enchantra would stay behind and keep the home fires burning and protect the Hellfire Club with her own power and the aid of her WILDpack.::

But really, in the event that Haleigh becomes a bio hazard, you REALLY should have a plan in place, unless you're too faint of heart and what US :: Isis and herself:: to dispose of her?

:: smirking as she made the offer, KNOWING it would be rejected...and as they did so, she held up her gloved hand and cut them off.::

Spare me.

Actually, :: she said in a surprisingly "can do" tone for a moment:: there IS something i might be willing to do...call it a...PROFESSIONAL COURTESY... that could help her.