Ororo's ghost story II: Raccoon City

[Arsenal]

As Mike drove, his mind was reeling at what he'd seen. He needed to speak to someone about this, and he knew who it would be.

Delilah's phone would beep with one name and number:

Mike Trelaven 3

It was a code they had set up long ago. The first word was WHO was calling, the second , if it contained the last name of the recipient, meant TROUBLE. If Delilah saw this, she would come to the place denoted by the number. The number three meant she would meet him at the rest stop by the highway, not too far from Morgan's by car for either of them. he turned around and headed to the agreed-upon rendezvous point, pulling in but leaving the car running and easy ways out as he stepped out of the car, armed for bear, to wait for Delilah. He knew that after what Ava said, she would NOT be staying.

 

[Harbinger]

morgan's mansion

:: Alison took in what she saw. ALOT OF IT she'd seen before in her own "flashes" or visions. But now, more was being brought up for her. She could confirm one thing...::

Haleigh is alive. That explosion was HER doing. Her power over metal and machines allowed her to use the biggest weapon she had to save herself from the zombies and leeches...the train itself. But she's in a bad way...she's surviving but that is it.

Blaze, I can "see" what you endured...I know that what attacked you wasnt an animal. Your sister and your mother...all three of you are in terrible danger and it stems from your Mother's...employer, the same one who who Morgan indirectly works for.


:: Alison looked grim.::

the lives of those that you and ava care about...their FATE as well as our own are converging in what will be a most disastrous event.


We can all help EACH OTHER to find Haleigh and make sure that no harm comes to you...but you HAVE to be prepared to LEAVE this city forever...before its too late. That applies to EVERYONE in this room as well as Delilah and Michael. We'll need them ::hating to include Michael in that statement:: when we journey deeper into this situation.

everything i see...leads to one place...deep in this same forest....a house of deception , secrets and unimaginable horror that lay within...on the verge of exploding!

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

elsewhere off the arklay overpass expressway

[ Delilah was furious. She loved Morgan and Blaze, but Ava? That was the kind of girl Delilah would love to pull out of a car and force her face down onto the hood of the car and hand cuff her snotty ass.]

[ How could Haleigh be related to HER? Still, Alison HAD spoken to Delilah and appealed to her humanity, her sense of reason and she was right. Ava was most likely reeling from the pain of both not knowing AND what she DID know was infuriating, it certainly had been to Dee and Mike who both had gotten shut down by the R.P.D. What were they there for? what had they worked so hard for if they couldnt return the favor to Haleigh and risk theire lives to try to rescue her? Delilah wouldnt stand for it. She'd go it ALONE if she had to. If that's what it took for her to do the right thing and so she resigned. Did Ava hear ANYTHING she said other than the obvious and equally bitchy retorts that she DESERVED? probablynot, but at this point, Delilah was calming herself down. "bitchfights" were more Morgan's forte' at least before she and Blaze became so solemn and withdrawn following Blaze's trauma.]


[ there was alot going on...everywhere it seemed and right under the city's nose and yet no one saw...no one BOTHERED to look. and most who did know something wound up disappearing, bought out or just refused to stand up. Delilah was ready to leave Raccoon City...but not without Morgan and her family, not without at least bringing the TRUTH about Haleigh to light!]



[ the night was getting later and the rain was still falling. there wasnt much traffic on the Arklay overpass and so, when Mike saw headlights, he could hope it was her and it was. Delilah pulled into the rest stop in her cute, sporty Lexus LS 600, she sat in her car and left it running.]

[ upon getting out, she was wrapped up in her black trench, it was tied round at her waist and she had her over sized hugo boss umbrella. she used her power over light to IMMEDIATELY scramble a camera that was nearby concealed in an opaque orb. She walked slowly as the thunder rolled in the night sky. if anyone ELSE was out and tried to accost her...they'd regret it.]

[ She soon reached the building and once inside she shook off her umbrella.]

Michael.

[ Knowing he was there. ]

What are you doing out here...and so close to Morgan's house.

[ She had a feeling. She knew him well enough to know he was up to something but she wanted HIM to tell her. it had been a while since they'd seen one another face to face but she KNEW Mike had been hounding Karen and she didnt approve of it. NOW would be the time to tell him so. ]

 

[Persephone]

Alison: Haleigh is alive. That explosion was HER doing. Her power over metal and machines allowed her to use the biggest weapon she had to save herself from the zombies and leeches...the train itself. But she's in a bad way...she's surviving but that is it.

[with a sigh of relief] "Okay...then there's still time."

It seemed the fire between herself and Morgan was offically put out. Morgan gave her condolences about what happened to Haleigh, to which Ava nodded, thanking her. She began to explain Blazes attack and how the RPD did nothing about it. Ava scoffed, furious that the so called 'crime fighters' cared so little about their citizens.

Morgan: don't think anyone in the civilian world was aware of this...what we just saw here and the R.P.D. is COVERING IT UP!

"It seems to me the Raccoon Police Department is just a waste of the tax payers money. Two incidences in the SAME forest and they do nothing? That's bullshit. What the hell happened to upholding the law and helping those who can't help themselves? [shaking her head] This department is corrupt beyond belief."

 

[Arsenal]

Michael.

[ Knowing he was there. ]

What are you doing out here...and so close to Morgan's house.

Still looking, Dee.

Mike dropped out of the ceiling. He had no powers like the rest of them and he took his share of precautions. He walked up to her...looked into her eyes, her face. She could tell that he cared about her friendship, and that he was determined as well to solve these crimes.

And I look where I believe I need to in order to find out what happened to Haleigh, how to find her. We have a lot to discuss, Dee. How have you been? You look good.

 

[Spellbinder]

in the mansion

<< Morgan leaned forward in her seat. she listened to Alison and felt a forboding tingle wash over her.>>

What are we talking about here? There's MORE to this...and if we don't know...we could all get ourselves KILLED.


You said the employer that my mother and I work for...My mother's a doctor...on staff with Raccoon City hospital. She's a psycho therapist and general practicioner.

Blaze: But she also does private research and consulting for Mystech.

and i have an exlcusive modeling contract with Rejuvination...

Blaze: and whose products do they market? Mystech.

Blaze: I've been doing research...exhaustive. when you're afraid to fall asleep at night, a laptop can be your best friend. I've been digging up some things but Morgan has thus far made me promise not to tell anyone outside of Delilah. Mystech has a hand in nearely EVERYTHING going on in Raccoon City.

Morgan: Blaze, our mother made us PROMISE to keep ourselves under the radar. we're supers...we could wind up disappearing like others who were like us have in the past.

Blaze: I know Morgan, but we can't just sit on this and you can't keep me hidden behind you forever. I know you want to protect me, but we can't protect EACH OTHER from the unknown. We have to know what's going on. Maybe that's why Ava and Alison are here to help US. She's a precog and Delilah worked for the RPD , SHE has inside knowledge ...and hey, we ALL have powers! if the RPD wont protect us, we can protect ourselves!

<< something about this seemed to bring the sparkle back in Blaze's emerald green eyes. it seemed that the idea of finally dealing with the haunting memories and the source of those memories was bringing Blaze closer back to herself.>>

Morgan: Blaze, don't get TOO excited. I'm your big sister and you're not going ANYWHERE without me...not until we know exactly what we're talking about and what we should do next....

<< looking down at her watch...>>

My mother, she shouldve called by now....I wonder why she's late?

<< looking back up at the others.>>

Let me go and call her...I'll be back and then i want to talk more about all of this.

<< it wasnt that morgan didnt believe or couldnt imagine, it was just that she wanted to get a better GRASP of what they were facing...what they were about to try to do. finding Haleigh was obviously an important piece of the picture but the grim tone of ALison's warnings indicated that there was MUCH MORE at stake and Blaze seemed ready to BLOW with things she had found out.>>

<< it seemed that once again, Morgan's life was about to change and she would be thrust into a position of necessary action but in order to protect her mother and sister...and hopefully SURVIVE herself, she had to know more.>>

<< RIGHT NOW, she needed to call her Mother. With all that had been going on...she almost forgot their previously promised phone call.>>

<< for privacy she went up two the second floor...into the very same office that MIKE had intruded in. Morgan dialed her mother via cell phone and walked by the window, placing her hand on the pane as she watched the night rain outside. as the phone rang, she noticed that the window pane was wet and slightly ajar.>>


hmmmm...did blaze forget to close the window??

<< unlikely, as Blaze would have been in the library or the study. Morgan looked puzzeled as she waited on her mother to answer.>>

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

the rest stop

Still looking, Dee.

Mike dropped out of the ceiling. He had no powers like the rest of them and he took his share of precautions. He walked up to her...looked into her eyes, her face. She could tell that he cared about her friendship, and that he was determined as well to solve these crimes.

And I look where I believe I need to in order to find out what happened to Haleigh, how to find her. We have a lot to discuss, Dee. How have you been? You look good.

[ Delilah looked up at him. at 5'11, the woman was tall. even taller in heels, but he was always the biggest of the trio and Haleigh the shortest. how funny that such a tiny woman had such a big impact in both their lives. she meant so much to them both and as they stood there looking at each other in the most unlikely of places...in the late night rain, Delilah's bright blue eyes surveyed her former partner and friend.]

I told you to leave Karen and Morgan be. When Karen ready to talk...she will. She hasnt done anything wrong and she's trying to protect her daughters. You know what happened to Christopher. You know what happened to Blaze. In BOTH situations the authorities let her down and yet, she's still here...in Raccoon City. What are you going to tell her that she...that WE haven't already heard before?

[ She looked at him steadily before finally hugging him.]

Thanks. I guess early retirement suits me better than I thought it would. You look good as well.

Michael...I know you werent following me but i KNOW its no coincidence that as I left Morgan's house just now YOU called me. I know you were there.

WHY were you at Morgan's house? You know if you're caught...Karen will BURY you in a lawsuit and if the RPD deems you a liability...we both know what could happen.

 

[Arsenal]

I told you to leave Karen and Morgan be. When Karen ready to talk...she will. She hasnt done anything wrong and she's trying to protect her daughters. You know what happened to Christopher. You know what happened to Blaze. In BOTH situations the authorities let her down and yet, she's still here...in Raccoon City. What are you going to tell her that she...that WE haven't already heard before?

[ She looked at him steadily before finally hugging him.]

Thanks. I guess early retirement suits me better than I thought it would. You look good as well.

Michael...I know you werent following me but why were you at Morgan's house? You know if you're caught...Karen will BURY you in a lawsuit and if the RPD deems you a liability...we both know what could happen.

Mike listened to her, then hugged her back, holding her just an extra moment but not TOO long. He surveyed her once more and sighed heavily before picking up a small boom box from his car that he'd stashed in a corner and blasting Jay-Z as he continued in a whisper. He knew Delilah could pick his voice out of the noise even when bugs could not.

I KNOW, and I could give LESS than a damn about them. I scrubbed the rest of this room, we should be fine to talk freely. Strange how public places get the crappiest listening devices. Apparently no one would be foolish enough to speak out in the open like this.

Mike held up the bugs he found here.They were indeed archaic.

But just in case, I will keep the music going. Delilah, I want you to know...I DID listen to you, as much as I could. The crimes have drawn me back to Karen Victoria over and over again. People, screaming of being attacked by cannibals, taken to the hospital. They NEVER survive, it is always declared an animal attack and signed off by the medical examiner and KAREN as the primary attending. I have found witnesses who have seen the wounds...many are superficial, survivable, but they ALL die.

And Karen has done anything she can to stonewall me, from threats to flirtations, and her manner is colder with each death...but under the surface, she is suffering with the secrets she holds.

I came to Morgan's tonight for more answers. Her daughters think I am either trying to screw Karen or jail her, they have been hostile so far. So I went looking, and found evidence that I have copied, that shows that Morgan Victoria doesn't even wear REJUVINATION, that she specifically does not do so. And now I know why. They have been experimenting on a new type of so-called cell that they claim REMAKES other cells to make you younger. But there is no FDA approval, no testing, no safety clinical trials. It is developed in part by KAREN and MORGAN is steering clear of it though millions of other women wear it. I don't know how deep they are in this, but I understand her fear now. But she could doom MILLIONS with her silence, especially if the shit we've seen is connected to it.

Mike looks at Delilah's face a moment. She is beautiful, and retirement has worked quite well. And her face is lightly made up.

Dee...do you wear it?


Mike turns off the boom box and looks at her, worried.

 

[Delilah Trelaven]

the rest stop

[ Delilah noticed how thorough and detail oriented Mike was. Haleigh's influence most likely. as he played the music, Delilah cringed at his selection of music but the SOUND gave her a nice little boost as her mutant power allowed her to transduce the sound into LIGHT which she could store in her body and release at will later.]

[ he spoke honestly and with earnest. he HAD been doing alot of leg work. Things he said...clicked with things she had heard on her end.]

I know.

Karen has changed, even her daughters feel shut out by her. its heart breaking to watch but I KNOW there's a reason behind it. Karen's a good woman, she was a nurturing, loving mother and was more like an aunt to me than just a friend's parent. But now...she's a mere shadow of herself. At first...i wanted to beileve it was just because of the TRAUMA she has experienced. But now...with the things you're telling me, I have no choice but to know something is wrong and that Karen is desperately trying to shield her family from the EYE of a storm.

[ looking down, she balls up her fist and a corona of light forms around it]

I want to get her...ALL of them out of here, but I can't leave without at least knowing for sure what happened to Haleigh.

Those cannibal/animal attacks...that's the same thing that happened to Blaze! all her friends but she survived...she's..a super like me. So is Morgan. She said the same thing and again, it was written off as a wild animal

Mike, those...things that we saw...those creatures on the train. there's more of them. we HEARD them in the darkness of the tunnel. what if its THOSE things that are attacking people. They're coming from SOMEWHERE.

[ Mike went on to discuss Morgan's REJUVINATION contract. Delilah looked thoroughly dismayed.]

Karen TOLD Morgan to have that clause put in her contract, her attourney, Alycia Barnett was instrumental in that...before...

she too...

disappeared.

DAMMIT. Under our VERY NOSES this was happening and they were USING US as some kind of BANDAID.

[Mike asked her if SHE wore Rejuvination.]

No. I'm a MAC girl...

[ half heartedly laughing at the idea that her choice of make up could very well have been a matter of LIFE AND DEATH.]

Mike this is getting out of hand. All of it leads back to MYSTECH.

We've GOT to get some help on this. I'll talk to Morgan and Blaze. The more people...the more SUPERS we can get to get to the bottom of this, the more likely WE will survive and get this story TOLD.

We'd better go. It's never a good idea to stay in one place too long in this city, even out here. Don't do anything crazy tonight. Let's meet at the Nocturnal Tavern tomorrow evening and go from there.

Be carefull going home...

[ one last brief hug before Delilah leaves first, using her light once again to scramble ANY surveilance device in the area as she conceals her self withher black trench and oversized umbrella and reaches her car getting in and driving off, not turning on her head lights until reaching the express way.

 

[Arsenal]

Mike this is getting out of hand. All of it leads back to MYSTECH.

We've GOT to get some help on this. I'll talk to Morgan and Blaze. The more people...the more SUPERS we can get to get to the bottom of this, the more likely WE will survive and get this story TOLD.

We'd better go. It's never a good idea to stay in one place too long in this city, even out here. Don't do anything crazy tonight. Let's meet at the Nocturnal Tavern tomorrow evening and go from there.

Be carefull going home...

I will, hon. I will talk to Ava, your new FAVORITE person. Hopefully she can be as reasonable as she was when I spoke to her before.

Mike hugged Delilah back, noting the meeting place before he watched her get into her car and speed off. He then got in his car and drove away as well...

 

[Prophet]

Lounge

:: Everything seemed to calm down as Ava and Alison moved forward explaining the situation that landed him earlier behind a soul food restaurant on the corner of Shank & Cracktown Avenue. The disc began to play and played a very harrowing narrative of the events that led to the dissappearance of Haleigh. Cameron's mind was flooded with senses and memories and thoughts of the three officers as he watched them on the disc. ::

"My god..."

:: Everyone began to comment as Cameron's mind was taking him out of Morgan's estate and through the forest of Raccoon City and to the wreckage of the train. There was an accident here, obviously. Everyone seemed to disregard the fact that there was a train in the middle of the forest. Cameron touched the train with his mind trying to pick up information. Soon a whisper filled his ears. A name came to mind. ::

"Nicholas..."

:: As soon as he spoke in his mind's eye he saw the visage of Karen Victoria. Somehow it was all connected. Alison was right and it had something to do with a VERY dark prescence Cameron felt as soon as his mind reached Arklay Forest. But what was all of this about Karen and who the hell was Nicholas? It wasn't adding up to him. He let out a sigh. ::

"Alison is right. There is a darkness I have never felt in that forest. A house.. I may not be a Seer, but I have been picking up on things ever since we've watched the footage..."

:: Cameron watched as Morgan left to call her Mother ::

"But Karen is definitely in this deeper than I thought.. She is connected to someone.. a name I picked up on.. a Nicholas. He was involved in the train accident that STARS stumbled upon. She works for Mystech but then again everyone in this town does.. except myself..."

:: He moved over to the bar and freshened his own drink as well as Morgan's and set it on the table in front of where she was sitting. ::

"I feel like we have to go for the HEART of the beast.. we need to go into the forest.. TOGETHER and NOT leave until we have Haleigh in tow. Because the longer we sit here discussing this.."

:: Cameron felt his skin crawl ::

"The sooner this city will be.. in RUINS.."

:: He shot a look at his sister before averting her eyes. He may be ready to fight but he sure as hell wasn't ready to lose her. Cameron liked how they were together. They seemed to feed off of each other as if their basic senses and "super" abilities were amplified by each other's mere presence. He wanted more of those times in the future, but from what he FELT and just knew deep in his bones, he couldn't be sure that it would certainly happen. ::

 

[Rampage]

Nicolas was resting, the kitten on his chest when he heard a whisper, a man's voice that he'd never heard before. Then it was gone somehow.

Instinctively, he pushed his own powers, tried to reach whoever or whatever it was.

"Nicholas..."

Who is there? What do you want?

Unbeknownst to Nicolas, he emanated a psychic "ping" of raw psychic force that would feed back to Cameron, then be gone just as quickly as it hit...

 

[Prophet]

The Lounge

:: Before he had much time to respond he was HIT with a blast of psychic force that was a little TOO untamed and chaotic as Cameron fell to the floor trying to absorb much of the impact with his own mind. His glass fell out of his hand as he tried to struggle to his feet. ::

"It's... it's NICHOLAS! I can feel him..."

:: Cameron wasn't sure what to do. If Nicholas was under the company of Mystech they might now know about his status as a "super" or at least reveal his location. On the other hand, Cameron might have access to the one person who could quite possibly help them locate Haleigh. Perhaps they were in the same place? ::

"He is alive! and QUITE strong..."

 

[Persephone]

Morgan soon got up to make a call to her mother.

Cameron: But Karen is definitely in this deeper than I thought..

"Mr. Armstrong has the same suspicions."

Cameron: She is connected to someone.. a name I picked up on.. a Nicholas. He was involved in the train accident that STARS stumbled upon. She works for Mystech but then again everyone in this town does.. except myself...

"Are we sure about that? Maybe I should interigate you myself."

Ava gave Cameron a devilish smirk. Alison quickly rolled her eyes making Ava laugh.

"Well we can't be TOO careful."

Playfully smiling, Ava stood from where she was sitting and headed over to the bar to refresh her drink. Pouring something a little more stronger for herself, she opted for some scotch, straight. Swirling the contense of the drink in her glass, suddenly Cameron proclaimed that the man's name he picked up on was in fact this Nicolas person.

Cameron: He is alive! and QUITE strong...

Ava quickly walked back over to where Cameron was sitting.

"If he's alive....we could track him down. He could lead us to Haleigh! Can you pin point his location, Cam?"

 

[Arsenal]

As Mike drove, he texted Ava.

Can we meet at your earliest convenience, alone? More to say.

 

[Persephone]

As Ava waited for Cameron to respond, she could hear her phone vibrating in her purse. Leaning forward, she took her black satin clutch off the coffee table and opened it, taking out her iPhone. Seeing the text from Mike, Ava's eyebrows furrowed wondering what information he stumbled upon. She texted him back.

The bar at the Cosmopolitan Hotel - fourty five minutes.

The very hotel in which Ava and Alison were supposed to stay in had Morgan not invited them to stay her her mansion. It was one of the most exclusive and beautiful hotels in Raccoon City. Putting her phone back into her purse, Ava shifted her eyes over to Alison KNOWING the precog already knew what was going on. The elemental gave her the 'keep quite' look, hoping that her best friend wouldn't announce it to everyone in the room. Especially since Morgan didn't particularly like Mike.

 

[Seer]

deeper and deeper

<< through Arklay Mansion, a place of mystery and unseen horror waiting to be unleashed, Karen walks. The staff she passes or encounters recognize her to be a person of high rank and authority in this place and acknowledge her accordingly.>>

<< the doctor's grim expression indicated that she was growing increasingly unhappy about being her. she was tired of her life being held hostage by this entity.>>

<< her plan was laid , after keeping secrets for so long, some of that would finally pay off at least for Nicolas. only a few more details and it would be complete. what she didnt know was that on this night...things would change and set her and those she cared for on a wild, fast course to hell.>>

<< from the obvious areas of the mansion to the "not so obvious areas" the doctor walks. this mansion and its grounds are truly sprawling and more than meets the eye.>>

<< far below ground, the secret lairs of this mansion were perhaps where the most intriguing and unspeakable things took place. many nefarious plots and goals were set here and manyhave been MET.>>

<< the dark halls, the cold and eerie silnce, with only the echo of animals...test subjects and some HUMAN test subjects gurgling in the distance breaks the silence. that along with the hum of power and technology.>>

<< Karen has descended to these depths many times before...and each time she does, she feels as though she's leaving her humanity behind her. She may have felt that way but unlike her "colleague", James Marcus, she still retained her humanity...she still had a heart and a conscience that was working on her.>>

<< Morgan's call would reach her just as she was moving down a close hall toward the bio systems lab where James Marcus was busy working.>>

 

[Shadow Weaver]

bio system lab

<< Karen stops midway through the hall as her Iphone sounds off. She retrieves it.>>

This is Karen.

on the phone>> Mom?

yes honey.

Mom, did you forget to call? It's rather late and I was worried.

No, Morgan. I'm sorry I was just delayed. I have a patient that I've been working rather intently with.

*sigh* We were supposed to talk this evening, but I can't be too disappointed with you. I have some house guests. You remember Ava Cassadine? A model i used to frequently work with and her friend, Alison Marble. They'll be staying with me for a couple days. Mom...we've been talking and there's some things I need to...

<< Karen cuts her off...almost KNOWING for certain where she was about to go, but the woman could NOT talk about that where was now.>>

Yes, I do remember that young woman. Well I'm glad you'll have some guests there with you. The company will do you and Blaze some good I'm sure.

Mom...please...I...<< Morgan pauses.>> What about you? are you going to spend another night at the hospital? or your satellite office? [Morgan didnt immediately realize where her mother ACTUALLY worked]

Just tonight and then I'm taking some....time off. There are some things I will tell you then, but for now, I must go.

Mom? you sound shakey again. are you alright??

I am fine. Now you go on and attend to your guests. I'll be in touch.

<< and with that, Karen ends the call.>>

I'm sorry Morgan...but soon enough you'll know what you must...

<< Karen composed herself as she drew closer to the bio systems lab where James Marcus was working.>>

<< the bio systems lab was the nerve center of the mansion from top to bottom which passages leading to all places through all levels, even secret passages out to the sprawling and eerie courtyard. the most secret bio technology and weapons research was conducted here as well as some of Mystech's most important descisions and initiatives set forth.>>

<< James Marcus an intense man, having begun ground breaking research on the "Progenitor Virus" using leeches and their DNA, after many failed experiments on animals and humans he returned to the leeches and further refined the virus...finally after a turn of events and a human test subject [ Kyle Kelly] he engineered the T Virus which prooved much more polished and efficient. But through his work, he began to develope an abnormal bond with the leeches he had experimented on. these mutated things that had begun to procreate and seemed to be attached to their unnatural "Father". Marcus was changing, slowly but surely. he was more agressive, more twisted in his outlook on things and his ruthless drive was spurring Mystech's research to new levels of success but the mistakes and drawbacks were EQUALLY horrific. [ hence the creatures now roaming the forest...including zombies.]>>

<< He was ready to initiate testing on Nicolas King, a mutant with high levels of durability. Marcus intended to breed the perfect bio organic weapon...the 3rd generation TYRANT with Nicolas as the template he would then use Nicolas' genetic material and the eggs of several females he had harvested before subjecting THEM to the virus to manifest embryos. the TYRANT would be used as a marketing chip, available for the highest bidder on international terrorist black markets and other countries' governments , the money and power this would give Mystech was as monstrous as some of the creatures it had spawned from its experiments but Marcus was nearly mad with power and dreams of world domination.>>

<< Karen was fast prooving to be the most unlikely and annoying obstacle to his plans. She had seen him extinguish Kyle and Sharon's life and use them for his twisted purposes. He had poked and prodded Nicolas for years while Karen acted as a sort of surrogate. She too conducted tests on him...his mental development and other things while using her magick to keep his powers scrambled, only releasing various aspects to him in stages. She was the humanity for Nicolas in this mysterious place that he found was now his home. He trusted her.>>

<< Karen could NO LONGER go with what was happening, what was planned for Nicolas. She had become attached to him. He reminded him of her OWN children. Would she want this for THEM? no. Something had to be done...and SOON or Nicolas would be lost. and so, the seeds of the greatest betrayal were being sewn.>>


<< she and Marcus were increasingly at odds these days...mainly over Nicolas. Tonight would be no different and yet, with the storm raging outside...the thunder and wind seem to be suggesting tonight would be VERY different.>>

<< she looked upon James Marcus with contempt. the man was tall and reasonably healthy...driven by a force of will that rivaled nature itself. he was in this lab filled with large stasis tubes that housed creatures, many were once humans. he himself was leaned over a surgical table. focused on a tray with a large leech that now had a humanoid EYE on its back. the doctor was testing it, experimenting with it.>>

You and your leeches...

<< Karen says with contempt.>>

You care more for them than you do anything else. One might draw unusual and unflattering conclusions about you and your little..."friends".

<< Karen sneered as she folded her arms, standing a few feet back. the sound of slimey slithering could be heard. more leeches were crawling on the floor near Marcus but he didnt seem to flinch, nor did they exhibit their carnivorous , predatory behavior toward him. when he first began experimenting with them, exposing them to the progenitor virus, they became ravenous cannibals. but after much trial and error he managed to gain control of them. but the T virus was born from leech DNA and anyone infected with it seemed to be posessed of that same cannibalistic need...to feed.>>

I know you hear me, Marcus.

<< she taps her high heel on the floor.>>

Nicolas tells me that you upset him today...and I saw the damage he caused in the observation lab because of that. If my magick were not scrambling his powers, what do you think would happen then? how much longer will you keep on bullying him?

<< Marcus didnt look, instead he just spoke.>>

Marcus: << in a deep, gnarly voice>> Obedience breeds discipline. Discipline breeds unity. Unity breeds Power. Power is LIFE. Nicolas is the opportunity of a life time, Dr. Victoria. Through him, we will succeed where we failed with Lisa Trevor and Kyle Kelly.

Karen: Does it bother you...at ALL that you are using a CHILD? why not sample someone from the prison population in Raccoon City...someone on DEATH ROW? why always these children and their families?

Marcus: Is this the same doctor whose superb psychotherapy skills earned her notice 20 years ago? or is this the mother of two SUPERS that we've GRACIOUSLY avoided...

Karen: WHATCH IT, MARCUS. You gave your WORD that you would NEVER come NEAR my daughter as long as i...

Marcus: As long as you continued to serve the interests of MYSTECH and keep our connection to Raccoon City hospital and its staff under our influence. It has not gone unnoticed that your dedication is...wavering.

Karen: Maybe it's because...I just don't agree with what you're doing with this boy. He's lived here all this time believing we were helping him.

Marcus: what care I for the thoughts of this mutant? he is a tool...a genetic GIFT to be used to give mystech the boost it needs to achieve world influence and domination.

Karen: I can't agree to this. I have said BEFORE there are other options and i think we should use them. the PRISON population...death row inmates...I have discovered SEVERAL supers among them...

Marcus: No one ASKED for your advice, Dr. Your job was to ensure the care and ease of transition into life in the mansion for the boy. You have done that...maybe TOO well.

Karen: I will NOT go along with this anymore. I am TIRED of living in fear...tired of being FORCED to do something that I don't agree with...and I'm tired of YOU!

<< her eyes flickered with mystic energy. Marcus still doesnt turn around yet...after a few moments, he turns around, SWEEPING away everything on the surgical table with a crash as he rushes up to Karen and helps her up against the wall.>>

Marcus: THERE'S the BACK BONE i always knew you had...pretty doctor.

<< his strength defies his looks.>>

Marcus: I am on the eve of my greatest triumph...do you think i will let some witch RUIN this for me? Not only will i succeed to a level NO ONE before or AFTER me could imagine, but I will no longer need MYSTECH! no more skulking about this mansion and its limited confines...I will have all that i want...and MORE. YOU on the other hand, have just submitted your PERMANENT resignation...but i'm afraid that before you could be escorted from the mansion, there was an ACCIDENT...

Karen: STOP IT...GET AWAY FROM ME!

 

[Seer]

act of violence

<< James Marcus, a man of ruthless ambition and amoral standards assaults Karen, acting more like like a reptile than a man with any kind of respect for women. Has it come to this? Will Karen survive this to even act her plan out?>>

<< Marcus, so MAD with power and entitlement is now focusing his twisted desire on Karen and as she struggles in vain, she cries out in defiance. her self preservation instinct is kicking in...she will not be killed like her husband, she will not be RAPED, she will not leave her daughters exposed.>>

<< a chime sounds off as the doctor is about to summon her magick to protect herself when suddenly...>>

 

[Malice]

the tables turn

:: at that moment, the double doors to the lab BURST open as strobe lights flood the room and two well armed soldiers clothed in black uniforms and face covering helmets rush in.::

:: a woman in a white bodice and "hot pants" along white opera length gloves and white lace up high heeled boots and a fur trimed white cape appears and a woman in a red ensemble appears alongside of her, walking slowly.::

Well, isn't this romantic?

So that's the way you treat a lady? no wonder the only action you ever get is from your precious "leech queen".


Karen: << coughing as she has now freed herself from marcuse when she smacked him across the face with her hand encased in a halo of dark magick.>>.... << gasp...>> Di...DIANA?

Malice: this doesnt concern you, doctor. take him down.

::she points and the soldiers gun Marcus down brutally. he falls to the floor with all sorts of equipment crashing as he grasped for balance. he moans with shock and pain...now laying on his side as the leech on the tray slithers forward and falls off the table onto his body...::



Enchantra: We have other doctors and researchers...who are a little more rooted in REALITY that will continue your work.

Malice: Your carlessness has caused too much compromise in security...and did you REALLY think your utlimate motives would go undetected? It's time for you to DIE now. a new day has come for mystech...and YOU do not fit into the picture.

Marcus: ....Di...anaa....

::stepping over him...he attempts to grab her ankle.::

take your hand....OFF!

:: she slams her high heeled boot on his face.::

Get him out of here. throw him into the Aqua Ring for the neptunes to devour. I want NO trace of him left.

Helena, secure the T virus and the data for the G Virus and prepare to shut this facility now. we're going to dispose of all the animal, plant and human test subjects.... :: looking at Karen:: and staff.

Karen: Diana...what in the goddess' name are you DOING!?

Diana: Karen...leave. NOW. You have 5 minutes to escape this place. Tell whoever you want...no one will believe you and there will be nothing left of this place when we're done. I can't access your mind but I know that you have a family to attend to. Its time you you actually paid attention to your daughters.

:: the reason Diana was letting Karen go was because Karen was inconsequential at this point she also knew that Karen could put up one hell of a fight and would derail the time table they had for obtaining the virus data, destroying the mansionand disappearing to mystech's NEW base of operations.::


Enchantra: Diana...LOOK!