Surrounded by darkness

[Artemis]

Rockefeller Plaza- Alycia's office

:: Alycia sat back in her chair. one leg crossed over the other at the knee. After a pause, she sat upright and moved forward in the chair. taking two pictures and turning them around. One was of her father, Thomas Barnett. The other was of Morgan Victoria. Ana-Leigh would soon learn who the man was, but she instantly recognized the super model.::

I don't like bullies. I never have. But even when you grow up, you learn that there are bullies beyond the playground...in the workplace...in government...all around.

:: pointing at the picture of her father.::

My father, Thomas Barnett. He worked for PSC Refining & Chemical. The company was out on the edge due to nature of the emerging industry but with his years of experience in mining and construction and his strong work ethic, he secured a position...provided well for our family.

But the pay and benefits merely masked a deadly trap.

:: Alycia pulls a file from a locked drawer and opens it up, putting it in front of Ana-Leigh to peruse. Documents and horrifying pictures of the effects of exposure to various chemicals could be seen.::

Consider THIS your first test...on respecting confidentiality.



PSC was a company that belonged to the commercial conglomerate Mystech..."Nothing is impossible" :: their company motto , which nearly everyone was aware of these days::

My father became sick...with cancer. His doctor along with two other additional physicians determined that the nature of the cancer and damage to his body were the direct result of his job conditions. an occupational hazard. His INSURANCE COMPANY, which also turned out to be under the Mystech umbrella, however, saw fit not to extend coverage & in fact, cancelled his policy...implying that the cancer was preexisting...that there was a family history of cancer.

This was a LIE but nothing my mother did could halt or cause them to even consider a reversal of their position. It was beyond unethical. it was Illegal. false documentation was provided to the insurance commissioner during the "invesitgation" & that ultimately turned out to be an exercise in futility. The insurance company badgered my mother with phone calls, letters, visits...berating her for even trying to get the matter investigated. They made sure every doctor in their network refused to even look at his patient file from then on.

My father's condition worsened. Soon PSC attempted to pull back his OTHER benefits as well. Suggesting that budget cutbacks were the cause. Another lie. My father's personal physician of many years managed to arrange some care for him, if nothing else, to make him comfortable as the end came. Shortly after my father passed away...his doctor was found dead in a body of water. All his files and documents regarding my father were missing.

:: Alycia paused for a moment.::

There's a few parts missing from this story but you get the idea. I learned then that the things we all believe are here for us to use or that will help us...will NOT and if anything...will HURT us.

My father's savings were considerable and he was smart enough to put them in a credit union rather than a bank. I was able to go to college and I knew more than anything that I wanted to find out the TRUTH and make the people responsible for his death PAY.

:: she pulls out several articles from the file she placed on the desk.::

It took me 4 years. I was barely out of law school. The ink on my bar certificate was hardly dry. I spent an obsessive amount of time digging and researching PSC and MYSTECH and what I learned sickened me. I endured countless forms of verbal abuse, harrassment, threats and more as I began to make noise and try to get the ball rolling on an investigation and audit of PSC. I was told I'd killed my career before it began. I was told I didnt know my place. I had my apartment and car vandalized and more. But as angry as they were with ME...That was how I felt toward them and THEN SOME and my father's death was NOT going to be unavenged.

A small, unusual law firm known as Cage & Fish, contacted me and wanted to help me. I learned that they had several clients who had suffered similar abuse and tragedy from PSC as well as a small town near one of their "test sites" where there was some sort of viral outbreak due to contaminated water that caused people to...

:: Ana-Leigh saw a picture of what she'd soon come to know was a ZOMBIE.::

I KNEW I wasn't alone and now I had more than a fighting chance.

Our big break came when then Senator Robert Kelly, whose daughter, Sharon Kelly had went missing in Arklay Forest, another area where weird happenings and more of these..."people" had been seen...became our voice for an audit and investigation of PSC.

We busted that company and its CEO wide open. With our official win in the state supreme court and the feds refusing to even entertain the idea of an appeal, PSC's assets were liquidated and all victims and families of deceased victims were compesanted and the deadly nature of what they were doing was made public! Their chemical experimentation and testing on animals and humans...targeting minorities and poor people was exposed and it ultimately cast a light on their parent company....MYSTECH.

:: flipping some more pages, she shows Ana-Leigh the mystech logo::

Mystech is the most powerfull commecial entity on the planet at the present time. 9 out of 10 house holds contain its products...most people arent even aware of that.

:: She looks at Ana-Leigh::

The term "corporate maleficence"...if you haven't learned it by now...allow me to draw your attention to the most relevant example of it in this day and age.

:: points to the picture of the logo.::

This other picture?

:: Morgan Victoria::

She was a client of mine...a dear friend. Her sister...had run afoul of Mystech. When she became aware of this, she attempted to help her sister, get her away from them. She had some people who had...special abilities.

::eyeing Ana-Leigh unwavering::

They joined her in this rescue effort. But they were unsuccessfull.

:: pictures and articles regarding the partial meltdown of the citadle's reactor and an outbreak of T Virus infections::

They were KILLED and their deaths, along with this outbreak, were covered up. That was over 2 years ago.

It happened right after my ..."triumph" over Anthony Zacchara.

Morgan's death remains buried...by a LIE. I have been...doing ALL I can to change this...but I...results are slow in coming at this time.

:: Alycia looks rather pained::

I may be crossing the line of personal/professional decorum...but the only way for you to understand what has driven me to face things...people...entities that most would have shrank back from, is to tell you the TRUTH.

Understand this...a REAL Lawyer is meant to be a interpreter and guardian of the LAW. The LAW is supposed to PROTECT and ensure civility and safety. We live in an age where disrespect for the law and flat out breaking it is "OKAY" in the name of profit and achieving a means to an end. I am one of those apparent FEW who opposes this...even at risk of my own life.

:: and now Ana-Leigh understood more than she could possibly have guessed before WHY Alycia had disappeared over the last two years...up till now.::

I hate bullies, Ana-Leigh. Mystech is a bully of the worst kind and people I care about, not to mention scores of others....more than likely people even YOU knew of...have been harmed or even killed by this bully.

What made me want to become a lawyer? It was the only way I knew that I could do what i'd always done with bullies...FIGHT BACK and protect myself and those who need it most.

 

[Seer]

eyes open

<< Sometimes, the truth is that which we did not want to find.>>

<< Ana-Leigh had learned the backstory of Alycia Barnett. The woman ALWAYS "kept it real" and now was no exception. The question now? Was Ana-Leigh able to understand? Was she SURE this was what she wanted? Among the shocks of the bombshell Alycia unleashed, there was the glaring curious part about "Morgan and others like her with "SPECIAL ABILITIES.">>

<< For every answer, there will be more questions.>>

------------------

<< Rich sat in Starbucks, combing the net for any possible information on the White Queen. Soon he came across references to a "Hellfire Club">>

<< various bits of information about the club [on the surface] were found. mostly its past history. but NOTHING about its current endeavors or its connection to mystech or its massive underground sup-level network.>>

<< references to the white queen turned up references to the chess piece nothing about THE White Queen [Diana] in any way shape or form. >>

<< Rich and Brenda were just beginning to get a sense of something larger and yet they were not able to frame it. How could they? Mystech hid in plain sight, controlling so many aspects of society including media and information flow about their activities.>>

<< Still, the Hellfire Club sounded like a very exclusive establishment and the fact that a search for the white queen brought THIS up as well as the usual results for chess pieces had to mean something.>>

------------------

<< Brenda was now at home. Her father, Vincen was finishing a phone call with the CEO of Titania regarding their efforts to sign Siryn. Just as Brenda had suspected, they WERE trying to court here and Vincent was certain they could do so. He instructed the CEO to "sweeten" the offer...whatever it took. Siryn was the hottest unsigned talent to be seen in quite some time and her voice was the real deal. The Castles were used to having the best and succeeding at their endeavors. Signing Siryn, in Vincent's mind, should not be an exception.>>

<< After greeting his daughter, he had ANOTHER phone call, this one apparently from the source of the invitation he was holding in his hand. A very well designed document on thte finest quality paper. "The Hellfire Club". He, along with his wife and DAUGHTER had been invited to a lavish affair this evening. Vincent and Marilyn were aware of the club due to its history and while they certainly fit the profile (in terms of sheer wealth if nothing else) of a perspective candidate for membership, THEY didn't know how UNUSUAL it was for Hellfire to SOLICIT someone whose family did not already have a membership being passed down via inheritence.>>

<< Vincent and his wife were more than a little intrigued. They SHOULD have been afraid but how could they know? How could they know that the QUEEN of this club had her sights on their DAUGHTER and that their lives were soon to be in MORTAL danger?>>

<< As the old saying warns- what you don't know CAN hurt you.>>

--------------------------

<< Connor was in the War Room, fuming. His concern and care for Delilah was sometimes misunderstood, due to his...less than tactful way of conveying it. If Karen had heard the exchange between them, no doubt she would have delivered a withering rebuke to the man on her "daughter's" behalf, but the doctor was now in her guest room with the door closed. She was laying on the bed, holding a picture of herself and her daughter, Morgan...and weeping.>>

<< Delilah herself was at a loss as well. She knew what she wanted...NEEDED to do. So many important steps had been taken to that end, but now, after her first failed attempt to recruit someone to the cause, Connor presented another alternative. The Silver Swan. He was right on all points about her power and what help she could be, but Delilah was skeptical. Was it merely just the fact that Silver Swan was too unknown a quality? The details of her too bizarre for comfort? OR was it that it wasn't someone SHE hand picked?>>

<< What Bishop said may have had some validity to it but it was not very nice. It was moments like this that reminded her just how ALONE she was without comaradare of Morgan, Alison and Blaze. But when there was no one else around, Connor had been there for her. He did care and he was loyal, committed to the same cause as she. She'd trusted his judgement before...now would be as good a time as any to do the same thing and at least meet the Silver Swan.>>

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Ana-Leigh didn't realize the can of worms she was opening up by asking Alycia the simple question of why she became a lawyer. She expect the usual, "my parents were", or "I wanted to make something of myself". But what Alycia began to tell her.....it was beyond anything Ana-Leigh anticipated. Her father plagued by cancer from a company who's products gave it to him. The insurance company turning its back on him...his work turning its back on him..doctors being told not to see him?! It was like something out of a conspiracy movie. Thing like this didn't happened....at least, that's what Ana-Leigh thought. Throughout Alycia's entire speech, the same company was being brought up time and time again. MysTech. She had heard of it, yes. She knew of their products and even owned some of them probably. But this company being the forefront of all this pain? Of everything that happened to Alycia and her family? How many other people were affected by this? How many other people have died because of them?

Ana-Leigh remained quiet, her mouth agape in shock and she continued to listen. Alycia pointed to Morgan Victoria now. This woman she knew. Who didn't know of Morgan Victoria? It was plastered all over the newspapers, television, and internet when she was found dead.

Alycia: he was a client of mine...a dear friend. Her sister...had run afoul of Mystech. When she became aware of this, she attempted to help her sister, get her away from them. She had some people who had...special abilities.

Ana's eyes flicked up to meet Alycia's instantly. Special abilities? Morgan Victoria was a MUTANT?! Alycia knew mutants? Associated with them? HELPED them? Slowly lowering her eyes back down to the picture of Morgan, she continued to listen to Alycia's story of how Morgan and her friends were killed because of MysTech. How was any of this possible? How has this company continued without being stopped? Ana-Leigh stared blankly at the picture, completely overwhelmed by what she had just heard.

Alycia: I hate bullies, Ana-Leigh. Mystech is a bully of the worst kind and people I care about, not to mention scores of others....more than likely people even YOU knew of...have been harmed or even killed by this bully. What made me want to become a lawyer? It was the only way I knew that I could do what i'd always done with bullies...FIGHT BACK and protect myself and those who need it most.

Hearing this....everything....it affected Ana-Leigh more than Alycia probably realized. She understood bullies. In the south people treated mutants like people treated black people back in the 60's. Anyone associated with a mutant would become an outcast. They were considered a "traitor to their race". They would be plagued with prank calls in the middle of the night, their houses would be vandalized. It they had children, their children would be beat up in school. As for mutants? They were beat or killed. The police turned a blind eye as the "lynch mobs" basically took it upon themselves to rid towns of mutants. And the worse part? Some of the people they killed weren't even mutants! Just believed to be. This was when Ana-Leigh left home. She couldn't bare the thought of her parents being killed because of her. She couldn't take the stress of thinking that one wrong look and someone would find out she was a mutant. So she left. Everyone in her town knew she wanted to be a lawyer, so they just assumed she left for college. But for a year, Ana-Leigh was laying low and trying to figure out her next step. That was when she decided to take the scholarship offer at NYU....hiding in plain sight in a city with more than enough people to draw the attention away from her.

Silence filled the room after Alycia finished. Ana-Leigh didn't know what to say....how to respond. She WANTED to scream out "I UNDERSTAND!" She wanted to spill her guts and tell Alycia everything. She wanted to share this one part of her that she had never shared with anyone before, other than her parents. It was weighing heavily....but as she opened her mouth to speak...no words came out. Her eyes were glassy with tears. Her fear was overpowering her will to confess.

"I'm.....i'm sorry. I wasn't expecting all this..."

Closing her eyes for a moment, she inhaled a few silent deep breaths in an effort to calm her racing heart. After a few moments of silence, Ana-Leigh finally spoke again.

"I understand....the bullying....the fear....the rage. I'm a--i'm..."

Hesitating, Ana-Leigh finally reached for Alycia's desk and picked up the closest thing to her; a letter opener. If Alycia trusted her enough to bare her soul....then she could too. The silver metal began to glow a brilliant gold as she charged it with kinetic energy.

"I'm like your friends......and I want to be a voice for them--for everyone like me. And if this company is doing the things that you say they are doing.....then I will do everything in my power to help you bring them down."

 

[MorningStar]

Night fell. Delilah and Karen has a nice meal in before Karen retired once more to her room. It was unlike Connor to leave her on her own, even if she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Delilah was working on the dishes when he walked in. She dried her hands on a dish towel and wheeled into the living room.

He said nothing for a moment, then tossed some files on the coffee table.

Connor: “I checked on those bird attacks. Ron Davis AND the police commissioner both have ties to Mystech. Similar attacks go back months – all the victims are connected to Mystech in some way.”

Delilah nodded but said nothing.

Connor: “I’m sorry for what I said.”

She replied steadily, “You apologized already.”

She wheeled slowly closer to him.

“Fetch my warm coat – it’s chilly on rooftops this time of night.”

He looked surprised. She turned away from him.

“No sense staying mad at you. I’m going to need you if we’re going to meet this bird lady.”

He smiled, in spite of himself.

Connor: “Thank you.”

She waved a hand dismissively in the air.

 

[Bishop]

He had made all the preparations ahead of time. The car service was waiting, and the Parthenon had been alerted that its new owner wished to do an informal inspection of the premises that night. He had picked up Delilah’s master key that afternoon, and made sure that it would grant them roof access.

He had also pressed upon them that Ms. Trelaven’s reasons for visiting so late at night was that she didn’t wish to be disturbed in any way, and should any of the staff approach her she would be very displeased. She would return another day for a more official visit.

They arrived at the hotel right on time. Connor of course knew the layout from earlier and wheeled Delilah right in past the desk to the private elevator. Unlike most buildings – and luckily for them – the elevator went right up to the roof. Apparently there were plans for a rooftop lounge in the future. Connor shook his head at the thought. What rich people thought of to spend their money on.

Delilah pulled the collar of her jacket closer around her neck as he pushed her chair out onto the roof. The city was spread out before them, lit in every color light imaginable.

Delilah: “What now?”

“Now, we wait for Silver Swan.”

 

[Brenda Castle]

Brenda took the paper with her for the car ride to her childhood home. She was looking for something in particular, but didn't even find a whisper of it. The massacre behind XS wasn't in the paper. That meant it was covered up, and quickly. If it had gone down after closing time at XS, that would have been about 2:30am. On a Saturday night people partied until sunup. For them to have cleared that mess before anyone stumbled on it, they must have done so immediately.

They were here. Home sweet home. There were days when Brenda relished the independence of living alone, and days when she missed coming home. Her parent's luxe Park Avenue townhouse was a classic Georgian brick Mansion, five stories and 25 rooms. It had been built before Brenda's GRANDPARENTS were born, but frequent renovations and updates kept it in excellent condition. Given its prime Upper East side locale, the property was worth well over 100 million.

Brenda's driver got out and opened her door for her, extending his hand in case she should need it. She took it and slid out of the backseat smoothly. She let herself inside once she reached the door, and automatically took the elevator to the 3rd floor, where she knew her parents were already in the drawing room awaiting her arrival.

Housekeeper: "Mees Brenda, welcome home!"

"Thank you, Gretchen. I'll have my usual. [turning to her mother, who had a dirty martini in hand already] I see you've started without me, Mom. Sorry I'm late."

Marilyn: Hello Darling. YES, well I was just about to call! Your father was getting worried.

Marilyn Castle replied, setting down HER newspaper and standing up to give her only daughter a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Marilyn Castle, like Brenda, was slightly taller than average, with natural blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and a dazzling smile. Though she was in her late forties, she could still pass for 30-something if she tried. Brenda accepted her mother's hug with a smile and returned her kiss, then took her drink from Gretchen and had a seat across from Marilyn, who settled back on the sofa.

"Well there was some kind of construction on Madison avenue, which wouldn't have been a problem because there's always 5th, except the detour funneled EVERYONE onto fifth and it was backed up the whole way."

Marilyn: What a nightmare. I don't know WHY they always insist on nonsensical detouring. Let drivers figure out their own way around the blockage! Forceful detouring in this city is almost always a disaster. [calling over her shoulder] Vincent, Dear! Get off the telephone now, Brenda's arrived! [turning back to her daughter] You know, his New Year's Resolution is to avoid work-related phone calls on Sunday. I give him about a week.

[laughing] "Yeah, he really doesn't stand a CHANCE with that one. He probably can't go one hour without thinking about business, poor guy."

Vincent Castle came back into the room, a cellphone pressed against one ear as he authorized Titania's CEO to meet ANY demands made by Siryn.

Vincent: She's just TOO talented to go on unsigned. We have to get this woman in the studio. An album from her... it would be incredibly lucrative, for EVERYONE involved. There's CLEARLY enough fan interest. I want the third level of commitment on this, Mike.

Brenda smiled and rolled her eyes. Vincent Castle's levels of commitment. She'd heard that one too many times. According to her father, there were three levels of commitment. The first one was 'I'll try.' The second, slightly better: 'I'll do my best.' Then the third, and really the only one her father ever accepted: 'I'll do whatever it takes.' Vincent Castle lived his life on the third level of commitment. And who would dare question sucha philosophy, when the man who upheld it held the world in the palm of his hands. After getting a satisfactory answer from his business associate, Brenda's father said his goodbyes and hung up.

Vincent: Hello Honey.

"Hi Daddy."

They, too, hugged and kissed in greeting. Gretchen brought Vincent a fresh scotch on the rocks. Brenda sat back down and Vincent sat next to his wife on the sofa, taking her hand after pocketing his Blackberry.

Vincent: So, how was your evening with Trip?

He started, but Brenda was saved when their butler, Edgar, emerged from the elevator, envelope in hand.

Vincent: Mail, on Sunday, Edgar?

Edgar: By messenger, sir. He said it was urgent.

Vincent's phone rang again.

Marilyn: Oh, for goodness' sake.

Vincent: It might be important, dear.

Marilyn: More important than this? [gesturing from herself to Brenda]

Vincent: No, of course not. You're right, I'll just tell them to call back later. [answering the phone] Hello? Yes, that's me, but I'm afraid now isn't--[his brow furrowed, then he reached out to his butler for the envelope that had just been brought up] Yes, it's just been delivered. [after looking it over] I see. Well I'll have to make sure it doesn't clash with anyone's schedules, but I'm sure they'd be delighted to make an appearance, as I am. [after a pause] Yes, it was nice speaking with you, Diana. I look forward to meeting you, too. Goodbye."

Marliyn [in an acidic tone]: Well?

Vincent [passing her the invitation]: We've all been invited to attend a Hellfire gala.

Marilyn: Really? How wonderful.

Brenda: "I must be missing something."

Marilyn: Darling, the Hellfire club has been around for ages! Membership is passed down through inheritance, but it's highly secretive. Nobody ever comes out and admits to being a member, but there's always specualation about who might be in it. It's all very Skull-and-Bones, Power Elite Society type stuff, from the rumors I've heard.

Vincent: Yes, it's an intrigue that we haven't been invited before, considering we have owned pratically all of Midtown Manhattan for over twenty years.

 

[Malice]

looking forward indeed

Likewise, Vincent.

:: As he said goodbye, the woman hung up the phone on her end.::

:: turning in her seat she once more faced forward toward the center, largest floating screen. Her feminine form was shadowed, save for her long legs which slowly crossed over at the knee and white high heels::

Oh you'll be here...because you know that there's always something...someone BETTER no matter what YOU have. Any opportunity to INCREASE your family's status and holdings is MORE than a lure to you, Vincent Castle.

:: The screen flickers and shifts images to another family featuring Christopher Victory, his [then] wife KAREN and THEIR daughter Morgan.::

It has ALWAYS been that way...for men like you.

Ambitious, far reaching, used to being in control and wanting more.

:: her hand extends forward, poised as if she's about to conduct a symphony.::

It makes you so....EASY to manipulate....to....CORRUPT.

<<FLASH>>

<< a summer's night. a violent thunderstorm rages outside. flashes of lightning teasingly illluminate moments of Diana and Christopher in BED together, with Diana taking him to the edge of wanton pleasure and BEYOND. using her natural sexuality and her psi/empathic powers. for HIM its a fantasy come true. For HER its almost TOO easy, conditioning him.>>

Pull you away from your anchor.

:: Images of Karen Victoria alternate with images of Marilyn Castle::

Make you emotionally unavailable to your offspring.

:: images of Morgan Victoria alternate with images of Brenda Castle.::

Push you to ever more questionable ethics and behavior....

And leave you PRIMED for seduction PAST the point of no return as you pursue your TRUE hearts desire.

Not your family. Not even ME...but the lofty ILLUSION of power and success unparalleled. While I STEAL from you that which you failed to realize TRULY matters.


By then...it'll be TOO LATE.

:: images of Morgan and Blaze laying dead on the gleaming metal floor of the Citadle alternate with images of Brenda wearing a hellfire white court SERVANT GIRL ensemble, complete with a COLLAR, the chain of which is held by MALICE.::

:: from the area where her shadowed form sits, her striking blue eyes begin to GLOW. She lowers her hand down to the command consel and presses a button.::

Tessa. Ensure all preparations for the gathering this evening are continuing forward on schedule.

:: from amongst the various floating screens that circle her at varying levels around the command center, images of Illustra, Delilah Trelevan, Silver Swan, Alycia Barnett, Ana-Leigh Moreau as well as other data streams and information can be seen.::


:: surveilance of Rich Martin was on a screen just off to the left of the center main screen while Brenda and her family were on the main screen.::

Brenda, fearing for her safety, will ask Richard Martin to accompany her. She'll be able to "persuade" her parents to accept him as a trusted friend and art student from campus. He fancies himself to be her..."bodyguard."

:: laughing softly::

How sweet. Yet he will be no more able to protect her from ME than her parents. THEY will be eliminated. HE will be captured and primed for the Super Soldier project.

 

[Artemis]

Rockefeller Plaza- Alycia's office

:: Alycia's mind was ablaze with the realization that in a moment of emotional fatigue, she may have just committed the biggest "word vomit" of her life at this point.

:: and yet, the response of the young woman seated before her suggested it might have been for the best.::

:: One turn of good faith and confidance deserved another and Ana-Leigh definitely reciprocated as she not only expressed understanding and some level of empathy but also revealed her own status as a mutant.::

:: Alycia's hazel eyes carefully watched as Ana-Leigh offered a small demonstration of her power.::

:: her being a mutant was not as "surprising" to Alycia as she might have thought it would be. Alycia was quite accustomed to human mutants and had revealed she knew or was friends with more than a few of them and yes, she helped them how she could.::

:: what was more apparent to Alycia was Ana-Leighs courage and genuine spirit. THAT was what stood out to her.::

It's not easy...knowing who you can/can't share your secrets with. Even for someone like me who relies on her instincts, there's always that risk. That's something else a lawyer worth her salt has to be aware of and for you, a mutant, I know you must know that.

I'm glad to see my instincts about YOU were right.

:: she winks at Ana-Leigh::

Your status as a mutant changes nothing between us & as far as anybody else is concerned...EVEN your professors & the dean at NYU, our conversation, all the details of it are protected under "privilege" at my discression.


:: she looks at her computer screen, particularly the smaller inset screen featuring surveilance of the goings on on the main floor of the building.::

Another lesson for you. The benefits and value of networking. Part of a lawyer's arsenal is her extended network of contacts in the legal world and hopefully many other areas of private business as well as personal and professional relationships. It allows you to have eyes, ears & even moreso, "means & ways" that could make all the difference in getting the job done.

Now that we've met...and had one hell of a Q&A, I think it's safe to say that this won't be the last we see of each other.

:: sliding her card forward.::

That number on there is NOT public listing. Keep it to yourself. If you get into any trouble...need help or just have any questions/want to talk shop...call me.

But there's someone ELSE that I think YOU should meet as well.

Her name is Delilah Trelevan. She's a retired NYPD officer. She was Morgan Victoria's best friend since childhood. She's also a mutant like yourself.

::standing up::

And if you're truly interested in joining the fight against Mystech, you should speak with her.

:: looking at her blackberry.::

I'm due at her place soon for some other business. Why don't you come along?

I'll email the job-shadow evaluation to the dean. It's safe for you to assume that it will reflect well on you.

:: Alycia smiles as she turns off her computer and grabs her leather attache.::

:: After securing her files about her father, morgan and mystech once more and shutting off the white noise jammer. She activates the motion detectors inside her office in the event someone tried to come in through the windows outside.::

Upon exiting her office...::

Anything to report?

:: She asks her secretary.::

Secretary: No arrivals or information thus far, Miss Barnett.

:: Sounded mild enough but it was also code for "where there any signs of intruders or stalkers of the mystech variety lurking about on this floor"::

Good. I've already called for the car to be brought around. We're going to make a stop at Illustra before heading back to NYU. The report for the dean of the law department on Ana-Leigh is ready for submission.

Secretary: I'll have it sent over with request for read receipt.

Thank you. I can be reached on my blackberry if needed.

:: and with that, Alycia and her "shadow" leave her office. Out in the hall and into the elevator::

I'm sure Delilah will be thrilled to meet you.

:: a ding indicates they've made it down to the main floor but as soon as it opens, she notices 4 mystech goons, dressed in business suits and sun glasses. They're obviously WAITING for something to happen...or to happen UPON someone.::

Let's take another route, shall we?

:: motioning for Ana-Leigh to stay inside. The doors shut and they travel down to the underground level while Alycia texts her loyal assistant in her office about a "detour" and possible "interference".::

Remember what I said about trusting your instincts and thinking fast on your feet?

:: she puts her blackberry away and pulls back one side of her stylish black blazer to reveal her feminine designed shoulder holster, which carries a custom made golden desert eagle.::

We're going to use another car I have. I had some..."stalkers" of the mystech variety on the first floor. I saw them when we first came in and apparently they're still there, watching for me.

My car down here has a remote starter. We're going to make our way to it, quickly and be on our way before they're any wiser.

Here's another sample of the..."occupational risks" of being a lawyer, one that routinely pisses off a global conglomerate.

:: she says in a rather sanguine tone.::

:: the reach the Basement parking level::

 

[Matrix]

The Hellfire Club. What the hell is the Hellfire Club?

Rich did some cross-referencing but that is the ONLY thing he found for the White Queen...other than the obvious Chess references. The Hellfire Club was some rich debutante-type thing that included the richest of the rich...he wondered if Brenda's parents were in it. She was clearly the richest girl he'd ever met, so to him nothing was impossible.

He made a few additional searches, but it was clear that whoever the White Queen was, she managed to even keep the crazies from speculating on her. That gave him only one thought: she must be pretty dangerous for no one IN THE WORLD to have written anything about her yet be able to send a strike team like from the movies after a blonde teenager.

Rich shook his head, a bit bewildered at what the hell this girl had gotten herself into. He switched tabs to a game he had cued up and played away, sipping the drink he had to pay for to stay there. It was his last couple of bucks, and so as he sat there he thought of what he could do to make some money...

 

[Seer]

and so

<< Alycia and Ana-Leigh arrive to the basement parking level.>>

<< Stepping out ahead of her "shadow", Alycia quickly scans the area. It's restricted access, but it's not like rules ever stopped MYSTECH before.>>

<< the underground parking structure is like most others, large, sturdy and given over to echoes of almost any sound. despite the convienience it provides, there's also that uncertainty. One that there could be someone lurking...watching...waiting.>>

<< the two women walk with a purpose, down the long row, toward a sleek cadillac sedan.>>

<< But then, two men emerge. one stepping up from behind the column nearest the car and the other coming at them from row behind them. They are suited with sunglasses both looking rather unfriendly.>>

Agent 1: Ana-Leigh Moreau. You'll have to come with us.

Alycia: On who's authority?

Agent 2: It would be wise for you not to interfere in this matter, Miss Barnett.

Alycia: Well I suppose there's a world of difference between you're idea of wisdom and REALITY. She's not going anywhere with you unless you can provide proof of identity that you're credible law enforcement.

Agent 1: We're not here to play, Miss Barnett. Ana-Leigh Moreau...

<< grabbing the girl's arm forcibly>>

Agent 1: portable scan confirms her as the carrier of the X-gene. She's the mutant target. Make this easy on yourself girl and come along peacefull. Orders are to bring you in ALIVE. Didn't say anything about hurting you BAD along the way.

<< the agent shoves Alycia out of the way and KNOCKS Ana-Leigh to the ground in one move. Standing over her, he brings forth an energy baton set to STUN Ana-Leigh into utter unconscious.>>

Alycia: I don't THINK so!

<< Alycia quickly moves, blocking the agents aim at Ana-Leigh and brings her attache up, SLAMMING it into his face. This catches him off guard and jarrs him enough for Alycia to pry his hand off Ana-Leigh and deliver a strong forward kick in good form to his stomach area.>>

Alycia: Ana-Leigh, these are MYSTECH goons! They know you're a mutant. Get OUT of here! There's no telling...

<< turning to find the agent now moving into attack, she prepares to fight>>

Alycia: ...what they have in store for you if they get their hands on you!

<< Alycia is engaged by the agent, displaying a strong level of hand to hand combat skills. Against mercenaries such as these...she'll need all the skill and will that she can muster. But the OTHER agent now clearly pissed, has closed the gap between himself and the two women and has drawn his weapon, ready to KILL Alycia and take Ana-Leigh by force.>>

Agent 2: Barnett! You just don't know when to QUIT. But all your bruce lee moves won't save you. Past time you learned that ANYBODY who messes with Mystech gets their ticket punched...PERMANENTLY.

Agent 2: Ana-Leigh, make this easy on yourself girl and surrender

<< bringing his energy baton up, he soon swings down, intending to beat Ana-Leigh bloody BEFORE finally stunning her into unconsciousness.>>

---------------------------------------

<< Brenda and her parents enjoy their meal together. For Brenda, everything has changed so much in less than 24 hours but what can she tell THEM? They don't even know she's a mutant. Hiding in plain sight has its advantages...but living a facade can be as much of a burden as the one imagined from being true to form.>>

<< Whatever she's decided to hide, she CAN'T hide from one topic of conversation, that of her picture in the paper dancing along side Siryn, whom her father is now "COMMITTED" to signing to Titania records. But even this topic makes for difficulty when her mind can't stop wondering about the wild possibility that somehow Siryn and Silver Swan MIGHT be the same person. The pieces didn't fit...but somehow...it rang true. Moreover, the idea that her continued freedom or even her LIFE might somehow depend on this Silver Swan! For a woman who'd witness the murder of half a dozen men the night before only to see that all traces of it had been removed, she was starting to realize that "Nothing was impossible!" indeed!>>

<<FLASH>>
<< rapid fire images of the mystech logo.>>
----------------------------

<< Richard Martin, still at the cafe, has been pouring over the net but his search for the White Queen only brought him into the general arena of the hellfire club. That in and of itself was both puzzling and a cause for concern.>>

<< He had no idea that he'd be getting an up close view of the Hellfire Club and ultimately the White Queen herself or that it may be the last thing both he and Brenda would see before the darkness of Mystech that was all around them, finally SWALLOWED THEM up.>>

<< HIS life was now on a vastly different course and in spite of his experiences and street savvy, he couldn't help but feel uncertain about the uncharted territory he was now in. Was all this due to Brenda being a high society heiress whose father no doubt had MANY enemies? Or was it something else?>>

<< Despite coming from vastly different backgrounds the ONE THING that gave them the ultimate common ground, being mutants, is also what would show them the path they'd BOTH take to a new destiny, IF they survived this night.>>

<< Though he did not know what was coming, he'd decided he was on board with his new friend. A testimony to his courage...or perhaps a reminder that the good and the brave often die young.>>
----------------------------------------

<< Parthenon Hotel. Rooftop.>>

<< Delilah waits. The destiny that drives her is what prevails over her overwhelming since of trepidation.>>

<< although this could be the next big step of progress in her march toward the destruction of mystech, she didn't feel the same optimism she felt when meeting Andrew.>>

<< A pity that she missed out on the key point of connection she shared with the Silver Swan. The pain of loss and irreversible change. But no one starts out knowing everything...not even a PRECOG.>>

<< All she can do, is what helped her get this far after the nightmare began for her. Allow herself to trust Connor, have the meeting and see where it went.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

Arrival

[ For Delilah and Connor, a few minutes pass.]

[ Soon, the sound of metallic friction was heard as a silver form could be seen zooming into view and closing in fast.]

[ from HER point of view there were two people. The one she'd encountered earlier and the other one who was seated in a wheelchair. They weren't saying anything but as she approached, she HEARD more than meets the eye.]

[ Delilah's breathing and heartbeat were in pattern of someone who was uncomfortable and nervous. Bishop was anxious.]

[ anyone NOT affiliated with Mystech generally had nothing to far from Silver Swan. She never went out of her way to harm or hurt anyone not involved, BUT she was also not very trusting of strangers either. She did NOT respond well to anyone who attempted to command her and she did not like to be questioned or judged.]

[ but really...the ONLY thing that mattered to her was causing Mystech heartache and killing ANYONE involved with them. She'd never thought about working WITH someone on that. It never occurred to her. But then again the parts of herself ...her HUMANITY and other aspects of her personality were so compartmentalized that what wouldve been easier for SHARON KELLY to understand when it came to interpersonal reactions, Silver Swan just didn't try to deal with.]

[ She was as lost unto herself as anyone around her might have when looking upon her with shock or fear.]

[ She descends down in a loop and lands with grace and form, taking two steps forward and then stopping to look at both of them.]

[ Delilah's attempts to try to learn her identity turned up nothing and her face, partially obscured by the silver eye mask, made it difficult for any kind of positive visual I.D. of someone Delilah might have seen/encountered in the past.]

[ She stands there, staring at them, particularly Connor. This WAS his idea after all.]

What do you want to talk about?

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah had started to believe the woman wasn’t coming. When the sun went down it was cold in New York City at this time of year, and she felt rather ridiculous sitting on a rooftop waiting for a clandestine meeting as if this were a spy novel.

Connor was leaning against the wall of the elevator bay, his collar turned up against the cold. He tensed, however, when she sat up and raised a hand. She heard something.

And then she saw what at first appeared to be a large silver bird but on closer inspection was actually a woman with metallic wings. It was an impressive sight, and more than a bit threatening. As the woman landed, Delilah scrutinized her face. She didn’t recognize the woman’s features, but with the mask that would have been nearly impossible. She felt apprehensive about this whole thing – and the woman’s curt manner did nothing to dispel that feeling.

”What do you want to talk about?”

Silver Swan was looking at Connor, and so was Delilah. WHAT indeed. What was she supposed to say to someone like this? How could she possibly want to help them?

Connor stepped forward, casually. Damn him. He looked at Silver Swan and indicated Delilah with his hand.

Connor: “This is my associate, Delilah Trelaven.”

Then he looked to her.

Connor: “And this…is Silver Swan.”

Delilah extended her hand politely in greeting, not taking her eyes off the bird woman.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet me.”

She cleared her throat.

“I’ll get right to the point. One year ago Morgan Victoria and her team were murdered by MysTech while attempting to destroy the Citadel, something I am told of which you are acutely aware. Bishop and I went back in to finish the job, and we did – but not without cost.”

Delilah put a hand pointedly on the arm of her chair.

“And MysTech has continued to thrive. I find this unacceptable. I’m putting a team together to strike at the heart of MysTech and take it down for good. I want them to pay for what they’ve done.”

She swallowed hard.

“Bishop tells me you hold no love for MysTech, that our goals are in alignment. I won’t sugar coat this: we could use someone with your abilities on our team. But Bishop and I…differ…I have concerns about you, whether you will consent to work as part of a team. And perhaps I am not as trusting as he is…how do we know that you aren’t part of MysTech itself, sent to trap us?”

She looked inquisitively at Silver Swan, her face blank. It was a question that needed asking, and the answer would certainly speak to the newcomer’s ability to work within a team. Delilah could only wait and see what Silver Swan would do.

 

[Silver Swan]

The rage

[ At her mental command, Silver Swan's adamantium wings recede and sheath into the back of her armored bodice. She could fly without them and often perferred to use them defensively to deflect projectiles of various kinds or offensively as massive wide reaching scythes. She never gave much thought to how she looked to whomever she was approaching mainly because it was usually a mystech TARGET and she WANTED them to fear her just as SHE had feared for her life when she was their captive. But with non targets? It was always an awkward, undertain thing.]

[ Connor introduces them and Delilah greets her. Silver Swan looks down at the woman. She very beautiful. She looked rather fragile in a way but her eyes suggested a battle hardening and that she'd endured much.]

[ Silver Swan stands there, nodding as Delilah greets her, but does not extend her armoured covered hand. Despite her politness & beauty, this woman was QUITE uncomfortable, as if she were in the presence of a MONSTER. Her heart beat, her breathing patterns betrayed her.]

[ She listens to Delilah's story. She'd been at the Citadle. In fact It might have been at the same time! that night when everything went haywire and Silver Swan...SHARON'S own inner strength and desire to be FREE gave her the ability to fight back against her captors and ESCAPE before the behavioral modification process!]

The night...of the meltdown. The power failure. That's the night I FREED myself from their torture...but by then I'd already been CHANGED. Turned into....

[she sounded far more gentler than she had in Central park or even seconds ago here. Connor noticed that...but...]

Bishop tells me you hold no love for MysTech, that our goals are in alignment. I won’t sugar coat this: we could use someone with your abilities on our team. But Bishop and I…differ…I have concerns about you, whether you will consent to work as part of a team. And perhaps I am not as trusting as he is…how do we know that you aren’t part of MysTech itself, sent to trap us?

[ Silver Swan's armor covered hand clenches into a shaking FIST]

USE ME? "CONCERNS ABOUT ME?!"

Woman, you know NOTHING about me. How DARE you presume to judge me!

[ Her voice BLARES like some trumpet in an orchestra. It's past the point of "uncomfortable" for Connor...it HURTS but for DELILAH, it gives her an unexpected influx of SOUND. Her own mutant power to absorb and transduce sound into any form of LIGHT spares her the pain of Silver Swan's elevated sonics and in fact provides her with a boost of energy. One she hadn't felt in ages.]

Let me tell YOU something, you judgemental SNOB! I used to look like YOU. "Sweet and Innocent." I had a LIFE, FRIENDS. I was a HUMAN BEING.

THEY captured me! KILLED ALL OF MY FRIENDS and stole ME away from my family! They TORTURED me. Turned me INSIDE OUT with their devices, their scientists, their machines...ALL the things that make Mystech what it is! They TURNED ME INTO THIS!

You ACTUALLY think I'm IN LEAGUE WITH THEM?

[ Silver Swan would have MURDERED HER on the spot for that but deep inside her mind...her tortured mind...there was this small but persistent "voice"...a piece of ...HERSELF!? crying out for restraint.]

They wanted to USE me too. Make me their SLAVE. They would have succeeded had I not managed to FIGHT BACK against my captors and ESCAPE. I survived in the Citadle and I SAW the horrors UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. I had NO help to finally ESCAPE to the surface but i DID IT BY MYSELF.

I didn't have HELP from a lofty pretty face like YOU.

I don't owe YOU a damned THING!

I have POWER and they're SCRAMBLING to try to get me BACK but everytime they come for me, I KILL THEM. I KILL THEM just like they killed my friends. I DESTROY THEM just like they DESTROYED MY LIFE. I'll KEEP killing THEM until I've KILLED THEM ALL. I don't care HOW long it takes!

I don't need help! I don't do "TEAMS"...especially if they're filled with petty, judgemental control freaks like YOU!

I WON'T BE "USED"

[ turning and walking away]

AND I WONT BE CONDEMNED BY YOU!

[ Bishop tries to intervene, tries to prevent her from leaving. He grabs hold of her arm and she looks down at his hand in astonishment. Grabbing his hand and snatching it off of her arm, she squeezes it with such PRESSURE that the bones in his hand could CRACK at any moment.]

Touch me again? and I'll SMASH YOU LIKE A FUCKING BUG!

[ with ridiculous ease, she TOSSES him away, several feet, landing right back next to Delilah]

Don't EVER come to me AGAIN with your lies and foolishness.

[and with that, Silver Swan launches off the rooftop of the Parthenon, zooming off into the evening sky.]

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah wheeled herself around and started for the elevator. She glanced at Connor as he righted himself and shook out the cobwebs.

“I guess we have our answer.”

She reached the elevator and pushed the down button, inserting her key into the control panel.

“She’s a loose cannon. How could we ever work with – let alone trust – someone who flies off the handle and LEAVES because of a single question.”

She backed up, allowing Connor to push her into the open bay.

“It’s a shame, really. One day her luck will run out and MysTech will have her in their clutches again. She won’t be able to hold out forever…unless we succeed.”

As the door closed.

“Let’s just hope she doesn’t get in our way.”

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Revealing herself as a mutant was scary. Her heart was racing as Alycia looked at Ana after she displayed her powers. But she was so calm about it; like Ana had shown her a simple card trick or something. Smiling in relief, it felt like a ton of bricks was lifted on Ana-Leigh's shoulders. She actually had someone who understood! Who she could talk to! And even better, Alycia wanted to introduce her to another mutant?! She had never actually met another mutant before because of the stigma attached to being one. Taking the card Alycia offered her, Ana smiled.

"Thank you....I will."

Alycia suggested that they go meet with this Delilah Trelaven person now before being dropped back off at NYU. Ana-Leigh was actually pretty nervous. What would this woman think of her? Would she be welcoming? Regardless, she was excited. Standing up, Ana put on her jacket and followed Alycia out. Not only did she make a new and powerful friend today, she was getting a great review letter from Alycia, AND she was meeting another mutant. This was certainly not the way she thought the day would turn out.

As they made their way to the elevator, once the doors closed Ana looked over at Alycia with a smile.

"You have no idea how much you've helped me today. Moreso than you could even imagine. If YOU need anything, don't hesitate to call ME."

If the elevators were tapped, Ana-Leigh made sure that whomever was listening wouldn't know what exactly Alycia helped her with.

As the elevator door dinged indicating they reached the ground level, Ana-Leigh prepared to get out, but Alycia stopped her.

"What's wrong?"

Alycia: Remember what I said about trusting your instincts and thinking fast on your feet?

The doors closed and Alycia pulled back her jacket revealing her golden guns.

"A gold Desert Eagle? My dad would LOVE you."

Alycia: We're going to use another car I have. I had some..."stalkers" of the mystech variety on the first floor. I saw them when we first came in and apparently they're still there, watching for me. My car down here has a remote starter. We're going to make our way to it, quickly and be on our way before they're any wiser.

Not even an hour after Alycia told Ana-Leigh about MysTech, they were already causing problems. What she said was true...these people were relentless. Reaching the ground level of the garage, Alycia got out of the elevator first and state that everything was clear. Ana walked out and began to follow her to her face.

Agent: Ana-Leigh Moreau. You'll have to come with us.

"Excuse me?"

Seeing two men dressed in suits, they looked exactly like the men from MysTech that were in the lobby. Alycia began to question them, but none of that matter. One of the guards grabbed Ana-Leigh's arm forcefully, causing her to instinctively pull away.

"Get OFF me!"

Agent: portable scan confirms her as the carrier of the X-gene. She's the mutant target. Make this easy on yourself girl and come along peacefull. Orders are to bring you in ALIVE. Didn't say anything about hurting you BAD along the way.

They knew she was a mutant. They weren't there for Alycia, they were there for HER. Alycia quickly smacked the guard with her purse allowing Ana-Leigh to pull away from him.

Alycia: Ana-Leigh, these are MYSTECH goons! They know you're a mutant. Get OUT of here! There's no telling....[she began to fight]...what they have in store for you if they get their hands on you!

"I'm not leaving you!"

Alycia's combat skills were pretty damn impressive. But the other guard was getting pissed and closing in. This was exactly what Ana-Leigh's father prepared her for when she was a child. Before she was in kindergarten her father taught her the art of hand to hand combat. By high school she was a 3rd degree black belt, skilled in multiple forms of fighting. Having an ex-marine as a father had it's benefits.

Agent: Ana-Leigh, make this easy on yourself girl and surrender.

As the agent swung the baton down at her, Ana-Leigh caught it in mid air and jerked it toward her, the agent caught off guard and stumbling forward. With her hand still holding the baton, she pivoted sideways and sent a swift elbow to the side of his face before slamming her forearm into the crook of his elbow causing him to release the baton. Without missing a beat, the baton began to glow a brilliant gold color as she slammed the kinetically charged weapon into his stomach causing a concussive explosion, blasting him backwards into the cement piling, killing him instantly.

Turning to the other guard, Ana-Leigh held her empty hands out in front of her like she holding something. As she drew her one hand back, a glowing golden bow began to form in her hand with an arrow at the ready.

"I don't DO easy."

Before the guard could attack Alycia any further, Ana released the charged arrow with perfect accuracy; the charged arrow hitting the agent directly in the chest, exploding on contact and causing a deadly chest wound. The agent dropped to the ground.

Despite being trained to defend herself, Ana-Leigh had never actually killed anyone. At least a human being. She used to hunt a lot with her dad, but there was a big difference between killing an animal and a person. But oddly enough....she didn't feel guilt or remorse. These men were trying to hurt her and Alycia--they were from the company that have hurt so many other people--they deserved exactly what they got.

Letting her grip loosen, the "bow" dissipated before Alycia's eyes as she walked over to her.

"Are you okay?"

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah pulled her scarf off with a sigh as she returned home. What a waste of time. Connor helped her off with her coat and went to hang it up. Delilah massaged her neck with one hand.

“I think I need a long, hot bath.”

She looked around to see that Karen was still in her room.

Tomorrow would be another long day. With Andrew and now Silver Swan out of the picture, Delilah would have to approach the other candidates on her list. And the two failures did not bode well for the success of the others. But Delilah was determined – and if she had to go up against MysTech alone and in her chair, then so be it. She could at least take out some of them before they got her. And Bishop was craftier than you’d think a human would be.

She went into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. When she returned, Connor was sitting on the sectional, silently looking at her.

After a moment:

Connor: "You could have made more of an effort."

She set the cup down on a side table.

"She didn't want to be there Connor - she was never going to help us. She probably was just making sure WE weren't MysTech."

Connor: "I could try and find her - talk to her..."

"Just leave it alone Connor!"

She massaged her temples.

"Dwelling on it will accomplish nothing. We have to move forward without her."

 

[Artemis]

Rockefeller Plaza- underground parking lot

:: The mystech goon was totally not expecting Alycia to be as fast OR as strong as showed herself to be as she fought him off with her hand to hand combat skills::

:: Ana-Leigh unleashed her mutant powers to defend herself and dispose of her direct attacker.::

:: Alycia's attacker had managed to tackle her behind as she to the sight of the flashing golden light.::

UGGNN!!

:: He slammed her into the nearby pillar. She stayed loose, knowing what was coming. She had JUST enough time to turn her face so she wouldnt break her nose from the impact.::

Agent: You'll scream alot MORE than that before I KILL YOU!

:: He PULLS her hair and yanks her head back. With a look of rage in her hazel eyes, Alycia DOES cry out...with AGRESSION as she PUSHES BACK against him, forcing him back::

Get AWAY from me!

:: and delivering a STRONG elbow to his jaw before spinning around and following it up with a STRONG left hook across that same jaw, staggering him painfully::

:: at that moment, she draws her custom designed golden desert eagle, ready to FINISH this. As quickly as she takes aim....::

Before the guard could attack Alycia any further, Ana released the charged arrow with perfect accuracy; the charged arrow hitting the agent directly in the chest, exploding on contact and causing a deadly chest wound. The agent dropped to the ground

:: Her hazel eyes remain fixed on the goon, sparkling with agression as she continues to intently train her gun on his fallen form. WAITING for any sign, ANY reason...::

Letting her grip loosen, the "bow" dissipated before Alycia's eyes as she walked over to her.

"Are you okay?"

:: still tightly holding her gun and training it on the fallen agent. she begins to come down a bit...::

...yes...I'm fine.

:: shifting her lower jaw a bit.::

He slammed me pretty hard, but I'll be fine. He wasn't expecting me to be able to fight him off.

:: She looks over at Ana-Leigh::

Those were some pretty impressive moves YOU had. Thanks for the assist.

:: looking back at the agent. she KICKS him in his side to make sure he's dead.::

:: keeping her gun drawn, she looks at Ana-Leigh::

Come on. Let's get out of here. Now more than ever, YOU need to meet Delilah. You shouldn't be completely alone.::

:: Alycia and Ana-Leigh quickly get into Alycia's cadillac and soon are leaving the underground parking structure. While driving, Alycia places a call to Illustra. Delilah's direct line.::

Delilah? It's Alycia. Is Karen okay?

:: after the reply...::

Good. Give her as much time as she needs.

Listen, I'm on my way there. I have someone you MUST meet. She's a mutant. She's also a student at NYU, who won the private Q&A and job shadow trip with me. She and I were just ATTACKED by mystech goons in the underground structure of Rockefeller center. I thought they were after ME at first. They were after HER.

We took care of them.

She doesn't have any peers or support network here, Delilah and she needs to know what's going on. What YOU'RE doing.

We'll see you in 20 minutes.

:: after their goodbyes, Alycia ends the call. Looking at Ana-Leigh.::

You're a tough girl. I'm impressed!

:: winking at her.::

 

[Seer]

into the night

<< sometimes, when a person is so focused on a goal, the miss the alternative paths or ways to achieve it.>>

<< Silver Swan and Delilah were opposite ends of a spectrum with a shared goal. The differences were vast, but not impossible or wise to allow them to stand in the way.>>

<< In this, Connor would be more suited to bridge the gap, for Silver Swan was too powerfull to pass up the chance...the necessity to form an alliance with.>>

<< Delilah may have forgotten, but there was always always more than meets the eye...especially when it came to those who had been targeted by mystech. This would be a test of not only her skill but her compassion and understanding...her willingness to see more than just HER way to the shared goal.>>

<< She may have told Connor to forget about Silver Swan, but could be just as sturborn and set in his way as she could.>>

<< While Karen, who finally was now asleep, rested in the guest bedroom with tinkerbell laying near her; While Delilah attempted to recover from another disappointing endeavor and steady herself in a long hot bath; Connor sat in the War Room.>>

-------------------------------

<< War Room>>

<< His searches for Silver Swan via the Clandestine Inc database only turned up surveilance and observation notes. They all pointed to the obvious- the woman was powerfull, vicious and she was waging a one woman WAR on Mystech. But something ELSE started to become apparent as well.>>

<< As he watched footage of the Silver Swan captured by cameras around the city or Clandestine agents themselves, he noticed that her attacks occurred within a certain mile radius around the Parthenon. Those attacks happened at NIGHT.>>

<< attacks in the daytime were against individuals with no PUBLICLY known ties to Mystech. The two most prominent being the police chief and senator ron davis. SHE must have known something even Delilah and Connor about them. The attack on Ron Davis was particularly savage. The attacks in the day time ALSO were carried out by BIRDS.>>

<< Whatever the full scope of her powers were it was clear that she had some form of control over all species of birds. It was the perfect way to baffle , confuse and terrify both victims and onlookers who never saw HER during the daytime attacks.>>


<< clearly she had some kind of pattern or method of HUNTING her targets and with the birds, her range of surveilance could include places that even technology wasnt used.>>

<< Delilah may not have been sure, but Connor was...she SHOULD join them and help take the fight to Mystech.>>

<< But how to go about it? She was savage and cold. She seemed completely without any humanity But he HEARD her when she seemed to recall her OWN experience in the Citadle, almost like it couldve been around or during the same time Delilah and he had been there. The tone of her voice suggested that she might NOT have been completely out of touch with her humanity.>>

<< with each thought...with each speculation, she remained a mystery, one that deserved a closer look. Bishop was no stranger to hunting or tracking someone. He'd started with less than this when focusing in on someone. But before he could make his choice, he got an unexpected bonus.>>

<< sensors located a mystech vehicle, slowly creeping along the edge of Central Park near Illustra. Unbenknowst to Connor, THEY were hunting down a young, homless mutant who was now hiding in Central Park. Scared, alone and desperately fearing for her life.>>

<< from another screen a nd radar sensors, Connor saw an object registering on the radar. Sensors indicated it was humanoid in form and flying at INCREDIBLY high speeds. It had to be HER.>>

<< This was HIS chance to try again with Silver Swan and he won't have to go far at all!>>

--------------------------------

<<Central Park>>

<< a cold night. a dark, tremendous expanse of natural scenery in the midst of a world made of steel and stone. In the day time it was a place many enjoyed being. At night, it was a different place all together. Certainly no place for a small child, a homeless, scared child.>>

<< she runs, ducking through the brush and foliage. Her breathing and heart beat are the loudest things to her. she thinks the whole city can hear them. But sadly no one does. No one's heard her cries for help. Or so she THINKS.>>

<< She's homeless and a mutant. No special POWERS per se, merely a physical mutation. She'd been identified by mystech and selected for genetic harvesting as they continue to test and refine their T virus.>>

<< She has no parents. They'd been eliminated sometime ago and she'd been on the run ever since. Tonight may be the end of the line for her.>>

<< 6 mystech commandos emerge from the vehicle. fanning out in a tight search pattern. Armed with weapons, tech and armour and among the best mercenaries money can buy, they are more than a match for the average, unsuspecting target...human or mutant. They have no qualms. No restraint. Not even when it comes to children.>>

<< They'll soon regret it.>>

---------------------------------

<< Illustra>>

<< Alycia and Ana-Leigh arrive. Alycia's key card, given to her by Morgan and recently updated with the new security clearance by Delilah, allows them "after hours" access via the underground parking structure elevator.>>

<< They have arrive and are now on their way up. A quick change of elevators on the mainfloor gives Ana-Leigh a brief but dazzling view of the crystaline lobby and of the large, elegantly framed memorial photo of Morgan Victoria, the late CEO and signature super model of Illustra.>>

<< now on another, private express elevator, they ride up to the 107th floor.>>

<< Delilah may have thought the evening was coming to a close, but actually, it was just getting started. Between Connor, Silver Swan, Alycia, Ana-Leigh and one other surprising development, she'd fine there was no rest for the weary or otherwise.>>

---------------------------

<< Starbucks Cafe>>

<< Richard Martin was used to having time on his hands. Time was the only thing he had beside himself. It had been a couple hours since he arrived at Starbucks and while his search for anything on the White Queen turned up nothing direct (which itself was unusual), he did uncover a reference to the Hellfire Club, which had to mean she was somehow connected to it.>>

<< Soon, he was informed by a member of staff at the diner that he had a phone message from Brenda to return back to the Palace hotel.>>

<< With the new developments for the evening, Brenda would have to tell him he was now her unofficial date TO the Hellfire Club.>>

<< It would be an interesting night for him. BOTH of them. ALL of them.>>

 

[Silver Swan]

the woman has two faces

[ THEY'D been after her for several days. But she'd become good at hiding and finding places they couldn't reach. NOW her luck was running out.]



[ the poor girls cries of help went unheard. by all except ONE.]

[ across the night sky, closing in on central park. on ground zero of what MIGHT have been a brutal murder/capture, she closes in.]

[ Bishop had made his way quickly to where his sensors indicated Silver Swan was closing, only to find a terrified mutant child being surrounded by 6 mystech goons. He was outnumbered AND outgunned but that wouldn't stop him from intervening. THAT wouldn't, but the moment he saw...HEARD Silver Swan closing in, he knew to stand back.]

[ she comes crashing down upon them, landing in front of the terrified girl and among the mystech commandos.]

Commando: Silver Swan!


[ she looks down]

Run from here, little girl. Find a place to HIDE!

[ she watches as the girl runs to hide, unknowingly nearby an ALREADY hiding Bishop]

Commando: We don't need the genejoke alive, just her genetic material. Fry 'em BOTH. Shoot to kill!

[ she looks back up at them with such utter contempt]

Oh....I DON'T THINK SO!

[to their credit, they DO try their best. they open fire with tremendous speed and aim. Flashes of white light. PLASMA blasts. On it's highest level, Powerfull enough to VAPORIZE a normal human being or even an unprotected mutant Silver Swan SHIELDS the girl who scrambles away, parrying the blasts with her armoured arms until....]

Don't you FOOLS pay attention? I'm INVULNERABLE!

[ Spreading her arms out, her adamanitum wings unsheath from the back area of her bodice and spread out to the full wingspan, casting the shadow of a VENGEFUL bird of prey upon them.]

But YOUR NOT!

[ charging forward, and with a gesture of her right arm, her right WING turns and SWINGS across like a massive scythe, slicing THROUGH a tree and cutting down THREE men at once, leaving them dead and cut in half as they lay on the ground, sputtering up blood and twitch.]

[ she's IMMEDIATELY rushed by two of the remaining three.]

[ their heart beats, the flow of their blood through their veins, their breathing. ALL these sounds undetectable by most are heard by HER and they all scream FEAR and FRUSTRATION. She cares NOT either way.]

[ the first one reaches her, brandishing an energy weapon that can unleash the magnetic wave. one of the few things that CAN give her problems. But her rushes her HEAD ON. Big mistake.]

[ snatching him out of his stride with her armoured hand now gripping his neck like a vise...]

HAH!

[ she PUNCHES him so hard that he flies into the nearby tree, his head impacts so HARD that the TREE is fractured while HIS skull is shattered. His body bounces back and hits the ground hard.]

[ the next one manages to FIRE a magnetic beam at her, REPULSING HER back into the same tree she just punched the other goon into.]

That weapon of yours...was you're ONLY HOPE!

[ thrusting her armoured hand forward, she unleashes SEVERAL deadly spinning stars that fly toward the weapon, CUTTING IT into several pieces as it falls from the goon's hand.]

SAY GOOD BYE!

[ in another display of her sonic powers, looking as if she might unleash her sonic scream, she INSTEAD projects her power in the form of sonic concussive FORCE, specifically a "sonic lance". The sonic lance attack SHATTERS the goon's helment and face plate completely before THEN destroying his HEAD, leaving the writhing, headless body to fall to the ground.]

Loose ends...

[ she says as she turns to where the vehicle was sitting. another projection of sonic concussive force BLOWS the vehicle apart, leaving it nothing more than a pile of wreckage and flames.]

6 down and no way for them to follow up on it.

[ She turns on her high heel, about to launch into the air until...]

Little Girl: WAIT! are you Wonder Woman?? That lady who rescues people?? please don't leave me here...alone.

[ she turns back...Wonder Woman??]

Silver Swan: There's nothing I can do for you...

Little Girl: You're the only one who came to help me. I don't have a mommy or a daddy. They...they disappeared a while ago. I don't have a home or anything. I don't have anybody.


[Silver Swan, who normally looks so intimidating stands there...speechless]

Little Girl: I'm cold....hungry. Those scarey people have been chasing me for two days...they want to take me to some place called Arklay. My mommy told me never go with strangers...but I don't know where my mommy is! I'm scared...

[ Silver Swan stands there, looking upon the shivering girl, who begins to cry. The mutate's facial expression, even with the silver eyemask partially obscuring it, is decidedly soften than Connor had seen it before. Her blonde, silver streaked hair blows in the evening breeze. She stands still...until...]

[ she looks to be in distress...PAIN? She staggers a bit...]

<<FLASH>>

<< sonic screams. glass shattering. the MIND of Silver Swan.>>

<< The SILVER SWAN hunts and KILLS without COMPASSION. COMPASSION. HUMANITY. SILVER SWAN had none of these things but SHARON KELLY did. SHARON KELLY. The WOMAN who would become SILVER SWAN. She was STILL THERE. She WAS Silver Swan even if she was unable to reconcile this unto herself. When SILVER SWAN was necessary SHE asserted herself. But When the DANGER, DESIRE FOR REVENGE no longer drove her...what then? What could SILVER SWAN do for a little girl?? The answer was in plain sight, yet lost on SILVER SWAN and so...that same voice...feeling...PRESENCE that tried to prevail upon Silver Swan when she screamed her rebuke at Delilah last night NOW had the chance to reassert HERself. SHARON KELLY. The woman at the HEART of the Silver Swan. the woman who IS Silver Swan.>>

<< two facets of the SAME jewel but only ONE facet can be front and center and now...as her heart and mind struggle to understand what is before her, where ONE facet fails...the OTHER turns to face.>>

<< Before Connor's astonished eyes, SILVER SWAN transforms, in a flash of silver light, into Sharon Kelly. Her blonde hair no longer has silver streaks. She's NOT in her silver swan garb, but rather a feminine silver motor cycle jacket, black leggings and silver high heeled boots.>>

uuggnnnn!

[ she frowns, shutting her eyes tightly as if she has a headache. she appears and FEELS disoriented for a moment before slowly slowly opening her silver eyes.]

[ she looks as if she'll pass out actually.]

[ Sharon Kelly is in the front of this tortured psyche now, but what will she do? She's as lost in this city as the little girl. She's lost unto HERSELF.]

 

[Seer]

changes

<< Connor had to get Delilah to understand the TACTICAL ADVANTAGE of having Silver Swan for an ally. He was no geneticist or even an authority on mutation BUT he knew what he saw.>>

<< From what he saw and had the presence of mind to record, Silver Swan demonstrated powers of flight, speed, super strength, invulnerability and various sonic based powers.>>

<< She dispatched the mystech goons brutally and efficiently.>>

<< What happened next, was something even HE couldn't have expected.>>

<< As the young girl begged Silver Swan not to abandon her in the dark, scarey place that was Central Park at night, she began to cry. It was a sad moment indeed and Silver Swan seemed to be at a total loss. Bishop sensed that this woman must not have any family of her own. She'd already indicated that all of her friends had been killed by Mystech the night she was captured when she screamed at Delilah for prejudging her.>>

<< But just as he was about to step forward, he saw Silver Swan looking PAINED as she staggered a bit, placing her hands to her head. soon, a silver flash of light and then she seemed to have CHANGED. She looked beautiful in a different way than Silver Swan. Gentle and HUMAN. There were subtle but key aspects about her appearence that were now changed as well.>>

<< The woman seemed confused and dazed as if she would pass out herself.>>

<< Whatever was happening here, Connor could not stand in the shadows. A little girl and a dazed and confused woman, who only moments earlier had just destroyed an entire mystech squad were now BOTH in need of assistance. He also knew that Delilah was definitely off base about Silver Swan and he was going to push the issue with her.>>

--------------------------

<< Illustra>>

<< Alycia and Ana-Leigh have arrived to the 107th floor to meet Delilah and are now waiting for her to answer the large double doors.>>