Surrounded by darkness

[Shadow Weaver]

War Room

<< A therapist never SOLVED a person's problem so much as she provided a safe, controlled environment in order to guide a patient to their own true resolution. A psychotherapist was among the best of the best at doing this and one with magickal powers??>>

<< Even with Sharon Kelly, Karen had been able to discern not only her major symptoms but also see that she was clearly fragmented in her psyche. It was a remarkable testimony for the woman that she had overcome enough to fight back against her captors AND survive the explosion of the citadle but even the strongest fighter takes hits and can be injured.>>

<< Sharon was unable to understand, much less accept WHAT she'd been TURNED INTO and with the new way she perceived her surroundings due to being Silver Swan, on top of the hurt, pain and more, it was all too much.>>

<< But Karen gave her the opportunity to go back and see where she'd come from and how she came to be where, WHO she was now.>>

<<it was far easier SAID than done and Delilah, knowing Karen as well as she did, knew that this was a tremendous undertaking that only someone of HER skill and power could handle.>>

<< still...the moment of truth and breakthrough did not come without its own set of problems, the most apparent being the involuntary BACKLASH on the astral plane that carried over into the physical realm, blowing Karen across the room and rendering her unconscious as well.>>

<< at the last moment she'd thrown up her arms and her CAPE shielded her face from the flying glass thankfully.>>

<< as Connor carefully checked her over, she groaned, frowning with pain>>

oh...goddess...

that....hurt....

<< She was dizzy. Connor urges her to take it easy as he helps her to sit up.>>

“Is she alright?! Karen?!”

have mercy, child....

<< Karen said weakly>>

please don't shout so....my skull...my brain....my EARS....

the power of her sonic scream...even on the astral plane...it's so primal!

<< she shudders as Bishop holds her up>>

What THEY did to her!! Is there no END to their depravity! They took my daughter and her sister...their friends...they take innocent people and USE THEM as if they were CLAY to be molded!

<< a psychotherapist was supposed to be able to remain "detached" even when dealing with the most extreme cases, but this was not anything normal OR "extreme" by normal mortal standards. Sharon's trauma was heartbreaking and it reminded Karen of her daughter and Morgan's sister. ALL of them touched, tainted...if not DESTROYED by MYSTECH.>>

Sharon...is she alright??

Sharon[: I'll NEVER be alright again. BUT at least I know WHO I am, thanks to you. I'm sorry that I hurt you. I didn't mean to...

I know. Psychotherapy is not for the faint of heart and when a patient experiences a moment of clarity in the midst of something like a fragmented psyche, it can be a rather...explosive moment.

You had the courage to trust me to guide you...and I...thankfully had the means to survive the result...my magick is already repairing what minor damage was done from the fall and impact.

::Connor helps Karen to her feet::

Thank you.

 

[Bishop]

Connor followed Delilah down the hallway to the War Room. He knew how much Delilah cared for the doctor, and he didn’t hesitate as she directed him to check on Karen first.

oh...goddess...that....hurt....

“Just take it easy, Dr. Victoria. Nice and slow.”

He helped her into a sitting position. She didn’t seem hurt, just shaken up. And with a massive earache even worse than his own. Delilah was nagging him for information.

have mercy, child.... please don't shout so....my skull...my brain....my EARS....

“She’s fine.”

He gently helped her to stand, carefully keeping an arm around her to support her.

“Easy does it.”

What THEY did to her!! Is there no END to their depravity! They took my daughter and her sister...their friends...they take innocent people and USE THEM as if they were CLAY to be molded!

“Those bastards are going to pay.”

Glancing quickly at Delilah.

“Uh - excuse my language, Doctor.”

Sharon was conscious and making a lot more sense than she had been before she had spoken to Karen. But everyone pretty much looked like they’d been hit by a Mack truck. He didn’t even try to push Sharon on the helping them issue.

“I think we all could use a drink and some sleep right about now.”

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah had never felt so relieved as when Karen admonished her for speaking so loudly. And Sharon was decidedly less hostile even, an added bonus. Connor mentioned that everyone needed some rest, and despite the monumental events they’d all just witnesses, she couldn’t help but agree.

“Agreed. Sleep sounds like heaven right about now. Sharon, I know you’re living at the Parthenon but you are welcome to stay here tonight – the residential floors here are secret and you would have complete privacy. Karen is my guest as well so that way you two could speak some more in the morning. It is up to you, of course.”

Delilah wheeled herself to where Connor was still supporting Karen, as if she were a china doll that would break in his arms. Delilah reached out and squeezed her hand.

“I am so relieved that you’re okay. And thank you, Karen.”

She smiled up at her surrogate mother.

 

[Brenda Castle]

Her mother had dissappeared into the crowd. Brenda's feeling of doom started to escalate. Something wasn't right with this Hellfire Club, and Rich's research only further shrouded it in darkness. Brenda realized with horror that she should have just changed her parents' minds about this party.

They found her father, entranced in a woman's thrall. Brenda knew instantly that something was wrong. Her father's thoughts were erractic and were obviously tampered with.

"Daddy! Stop!"

Brenda knew there to be other mutants in the city, she had heard it in their thoughts. But this is the first hint that there was another telepath, and the implication floored her. Brenda fought mentally to overwrite what the woman had done to her father's mind, to no avail. She only succeded in making her father slightly confused. Brenda made eye contact with the woman matching Malice's chilling gaze with with Brenda's own stare of brave determination.

"Who ARE you??"

Malice: I am MALICE. I am THE END!

[after a short pause] "Okaaaaay...... clearly you are also INSANE."

Brenda did the only thing she could think of next. She attempted to break the connection between Malice and her father by way of Psycho blast. She wasn't trying to kill the lady, or permanently harm her. Malice wasn't right in the head, maybe they could find help for her. Brenda just sent a curt ZAP in her direction to snap the bond so she could get her father back.

To her utter surprise, Malice had a psycho blast of her own, and easily deflected Brenda's. It was then that Brenda realized how bad things were about to get. Brenda wasn't prepared or trained for the violence that followed. The instant pain she experienced was excruciating, and drove her to her knees. She shut her eyes, clutched at her head, gasping for breath. It was unrelenting. The thought crossed her mind that this was a mental trick, that her head wasn't really on fire.... but try as she might to overcome it, she couldn't.

She willed Rich to escape, not knowing what was happening outside her own mental anguish. She just hoped he could get out, and get help.

She just wanted it to stop. To escape it, she pushed herself out of consciousness and slumped to the floor at Malice's feet.

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Shortly after being left alone with Tinkerbell, Delilah and Conner escorted a young girl who was also a mutant up to Delilah's penthouse. Ana-Leigh kept the girl company, noting that she was still a bit nervous and shaken about whatever events happened to her. Alycia soon came to pick up Ashley and take her to the school where she would be staying.

Deciding it was probably best to just stay at Illustra, Delilah showed Ana-Leigh up to the 105th floor which used to be Alexis Chandler-Quartermaine's apartment. It was beautifully decorated in a similar style closed to what Ana-Leigh liked. However any personal pictures or heirlooms that may have been Alexis' were gone. It didn't even look like a person had lived here before--simply a model apartment fully furnished. Taking the time to explore the place, she was kinda excited that she got to stay here for a little bit. It was a far cry from what she was used to. A king sized bed? A spa tub? 3D tv's? It was freakin' awesome. Smiling as she made her way into the master bedroom, Ana-Leigh jumped onto the bed and fell backwards onto her back. She was exhausted, and rightfully so. It was nearly 12am and the events of the day had definitely crept up on her. Deciding to call Alycia to see if she was coming back to Illustra, Ana-Leigh pulled out her phone and Alycia's card, dialing the attorney's number.

Alycia: Ana-Leigh?

"Hey Alycia."

Alycia: Are you alright?

"Yeah, i'm great considering. Did you drop Ashley off?"

Alycia: Yes, I dropped little Ashley off to Rose. She's going to be okay. Rose will send me progress notes and I'll share them with Delilah, who also wanted to know how she was doing. It's a good thing how this worked out. I'm glad you decided to stay over at Delilah's tonight. If more of those goons are out looking...they won't have a clue as to where you are.

"I was reluctant before, but yeah...i'm definitely glad I stayed. Delilah seems nice....and like you said, those MysTech people could be anywhere right now. Speaking of which, are you coming back here?"

Alycia: Me? No.

"Alycia..."

With a sigh, Ana felt better if Alycia decided to stay at Illustra as well, but she knew the woman was stubborn and tough as nails. She didn't want to be looked after, which Ana-Leigh respected. So instead of arguing, she let it go.

Alyica: I need to go home and rest myself. It's been quite a day. A productive day but a long one no less. I'll sleep a little easier knowing that you're alright and Ashley is safe. We'll talk tommorow though okay?

"Okay."

Alycia: You have my numbers if you...Oh my GOD!

Ana-Leigh immediately shot up from laying down, her eyes wide with fear.

"Aycia?! What's wrong?!"

All she could hear was a some muffle bangs like the phone had been dropped, some skidding, and Alycia's screams followed by a truck horn.

"ALYCIA!! Answer me! Alycia!!"

Then, what Ana-Leigh had dreaded, she heard the crash. As soon as the car had impacted whatever it hit, Ana jumped out of bed and began to run through the apartment and out the door. Disconnecting the line, Ana dialed 911 as she entered the elevator and hit the top floor of Illustra.

"Please! My friend was just in a car accident! [pause] I don't know where! I was on the phone with her when it happened! [pause] She was coming back from....I-I don't know the location...[pause] Because I heard her scream and the crash! [pause] Alycia Barnett, She was driving a 4 door black sedan. I don't know the plate number....But I think she has OnStar!"

The elevator dinged as the doors began to open. Not waiting until they were fully ajar, Ana-Leigh pushed her way through the gap and began running down the hallway and burst through Delilah's door. The dis-batch lady obvious thought she was a lunatic, so Ana-Leigh hung up hoping that between two mutants and whoever this Conner guy was, they would be able to find Alycia.

"Delilah! Alycia was just in a car accident! I was on the phone with her when I heard her scream and the car crash....I called 911, but I don't know where she is or any information! We need to find her!"

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah, Connor, Karen and Sharon had just arrived themselves in Delilah's apartment. Delilah was about to get the key for the 104th floor to give to Sharon when Ana-Leigh burst in.

"Delilah! Alycia was just in a car accident! I was on the phone with her when I heard her scream and the car crash....I called 911, but I don't know where she is or any information! We need to find her!"

"Calm down, Ana-Leigh, calm down."

Delilah wheeled herself so she was up close and facing the girl, and took her hands.

"Did you call 911? Where was she headed when she called? Had she left Ashley with Rose yet?"

Ana-Leigh told her that, yes, she had called 911 and yes, Alycia had already dropped Ashley off and she was heading home.

“Okay, we need to spread out and find her. Connor, head out on foot. She was probably cutting down Lexington this time of day, so cut over and head north. Karen, can you use Morgan’s scrying pool to see if you can find her?”

She winced a second saying Morgan’s name, but there was no time to pull punches. She knew both Karen and Morgan would understand.

“Ana-Leigh, it’s too dangerous for you to be out there, so you can come with me to the War Room and monitor the police and EMT bands.”

She reached into a drawer and pulled out something that looked like a digital wristwatch. She looked at Silver Swan imploringly.

“Sharon, will you help us?”

She wheeled up to Sharon slowly, handing her the watch.

“This will allow you to speak to the rest of us – press this button here to talk. If you would take to the air – you will have a better vantage point and can cover more ground that the rest of us. Head northeast to start. There’s a set of stairs to the roof at the end of the hallway.”

She paused, then added:

“It would be a great help to us.”

After a second of silence she spoke to the group.

“Everybody check in with their positions often. Ana-Leigh, if you would assist me into the elevator.”

 

[Silver Swan]

Illustra- new found associates

[ Up to an even higher floor in this curious building, Sharon traveled with her new found associates. Connor and Delilah were war hardened in their own unique ways. Karen was regal, elegant and powerful. These people all shared the same hatred of Mystech SHE did, that was comforting.]

[ She didn't hold a grudge against Delilah for their earlier meeting, truth be told she hadn't given it another thought. That was then, this is now.]


[Not quite sure what was "next", that question was soon answered as another person, a girl, burst into the scene saying that a woman named Alycia Barnett had been in an accident!]

[ Sharon, now in the form of Silver Swan, looked at the girl. Her heartbeat racing, her breathing...all her body functions played a symphony of distress that only Silver Swan could hear. She was QUITE upset.]

[ Delilah, who seemed to be quite comfortable taking the lead, began to form a plan of action...and then...]

She looked at Silver Swan imploringly.

“Sharon, will you help us?”

Yes.

It could be Mystech. They couldve hit her so they could carry her off to THEIR horror hospital.

“This will allow you to speak to the rest of us – press this button here to talk. If you would take to the air – you will have a better vantage point and can cover more ground that the rest of us. Head northeast to start. There’s a set of stairs to the roof at the end of the hallway.”

She paused, then added:

“It would be a great help to us.”

If they try to get her, I'll get THEM first.


[ Without another word Silver Swan, having taken the wrist watch and placed it on her armoured wrist, left to go to the roof and take to the night air.]

[ She was far less hostile...and clearly willing to assist when it came to helping someone who might be in danger from Mystech but she was still somewhat cold and aloof. Delilah now knew WHY though. Perhaps in time, that would change...especially since Sharon now knew she was among allies...people who were concerned about her well being and would appreciate her help.]

 

[Seer]

Illustra - War Room

<< Silver Swan flies through the night sky. Bishop covers the ground. Both heading in the general direction of where Alycia would've been traveling heading for home.>>

<< In Illustra, Dr. Victoria, helping Delilah, casts a scrying spell using her daughter's scrying pool, searching over the area as well. IF Alycia were still out there, between the three of them, she'd be found. And with the real possibility that Mystech might be aware of or even responsible of this...the more resources used to find her the better.>>

<< Delilah was now in the War Room with Ana-Leigh, the young mutant who had become fast friends with Alycia and throug her, met Delilah.>>

<< Delilah may not have realized it yet...but the beginning of THE SIX was now at hand. She'd established contact with and managed to succeed with Ana-Leigh and now Sharon Kelly. This was JUST the beginning.>>

<< Now in the War Room, which itself directly rivaled the technological gem in the underground sup levels of the Hellfire Club, Delilah and Ana-Leigh search the city with clandestine cameras, monitors and most importantly the EMT bands.>>

<< 15 minutes pass. Silver Swan and soon Bishop happen upon what is CLEARLY the wreckage. But there's no sign of Alycia! Only several police cars and a tow wrecking service truck.>>

<< and then...of the EMT band>>

Female EMT: We have an african american female. approximate age early 30s. 5'11, 143 lbs. She was driving a black Cadillac CTS and collided with a light pole. Fracture in forearm and severe head injury. subject is unconscious and unresponsive.

Male EMT << from another, closely following ambulance truck>> we are carrying an african american male approximate age 18. 6'0, 150 lbs. He is unconscious with several burn marks and abrasions about the head and upper body. he was found lying unconscious across from the point of impact where the female in the cadillac CTS found. Police confirms he was not involved in her accident and was most likely the victim of foul play that occurred elsewhere. transporting to Lenoxx Hill Hospital

<< Alycia was indeed in a bad way but Delilah could at least confirm that Alycia WAS in being attended to by legitimite emergency personnel and now on her way to Lennox Hill Hospital. A high end hospital on the upper east side.>>

<< Contacting Silver Swan, Delilah asks her to pick up Bishop and fly him to the hospital while Ana-Leigh will drive herself and Delilah to meet them there.>>

<< the revelation of another body at the scene of the accident, a male, who was still alive but injured opened up new questions indeed. Delilah brought her wrist cerebra scanner just in case and now she and Ana-Leigh were en route to Lennox Hill.>>


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

<< Lennox Hill Hospital>>
<< Silver Swan and Bishop arrived first. For Bishop, never had he experienced such a FAST flight before. He may have felt his stomach had been left behind somewhere but for all her speed, Silver Swan was also able to carry him with ease and flew with skill, landing gently and setting him down.>>

<< Karen, in one last gesture of assistance, casts a spell that teleports Ana-Leigh, Delilah AND the car they are in to the hospital to save them time.>>


<< they find, however, that the receptionist is hardly as customer care oriented as one would expect. It could have been the sight of Silver Swan, it could have been the fact that all of the people in front of her inquiring about Alycia Barnett were WHITE and thus hard to sell the fact they were "family" ...whatever it was...they were not getting the cooperation from her they needed.>>

<< Ana-Leigh was pissed, Delilah was as well...knowing that if she still had her badge, this wouldnt be an issue. Even Connor was at a loss...until...>>

 

[Silver Swan]

Lennox Hill Hospital

[ For Sharon, being in a hospital offered an array of sounds she didn't relish in hearing. The dread and discomfort of a place like this had a whole other layer for someone who could HEAR hear beats stopping for the last time; the screams and cries of loved ones, the cries of victims in pain...not unlike her OWN screams when she was held captive in Arklay Mansion and later the Citadle.]

[ she spaced out for a moment as Delilah and Ana-Leigh tried in vain to reason with the difficult hospital staff. Finally, Bishop slams his hand down on the desk in frustration and Sharon blinks her silver eyes a few times, looking at the receptionist and nurses at the desk.]

[ she steps forward in front of the others. She leans forward on the counter and looks curiously at the women, tilting her head a bit.]

[ as she begins to talk, her voice takes an odd tone and sound to it that only Delilah, Ana-Leigh and Connor , along with those she's directly talking to can hear.]

Pleaseeeee. Alyciaaaaa Barnetttttt is ourrrrrr loveeddddd oneeee.

Weeeeee areeeee VERRRYYYY worrieedddd about herrrrrrr.


[ her voice was haunting with resonance and alluring the staff at the desk stared at her, seemingly transfixed]

Wont youuuuuu pleaseeeee helppppp ussssss?

Ittttttt would makeeeee meeeeee VERRYYYYYYYYY happyyyyyy....and I KNOWWWWW you'd do ANNYYYYTHINGGGG to make meeee happyyyyy wouldn't youuuuuuu??

[ Using her sonic power, the sound waves of her voice, she was now influencing them...making them enamored with her, regardless of theire gender. They were now willing to do ANYTHING she ask.]

Tell usssss WHEREEEEE Alyciaaa Barnettttt issss. It'll beeeee OURRR secrettttt!!!!

[ At that moment, she was just as allurring as a....."SIRYN!"]

 

[Seer]

closing in

<< the receptionist and nurses were now PUTTY in Silver Swan's hands. Delilah and Bishop could only watch with a sense of relief now that they seemed to have her on THEIR side, helping them. >>

<< As she used her sonic power, the staff HAPPILY gave Silver Swan all the information she wanted.>>

<< Alycia Barnett was in a BAD way. The John Doe found near the accident site was directly next door. They now knew where Alycia was and without further ado, Silver Swan compelled them to let the group pass without any scrutiny.>>

<< and not a moment too soon. Delilah's motley crew weren't the ONLY ones at the hospital.>>

<< Still hunting down Richard Martin, Mystech goons, looking like the suited men that had attacked Alycia and Ana-Leigh earlier had already arrived into the hospital as well and were also closing in on Richard. When it became apparent that an injured Alycia Barnett was there, they received orders to eliminate HER as well.>>

<< it was a collision course, with Alycia as well as another neo mutant's life at stake.>>

<< up several floors and down a private floor Bishop pushes Delilah. They are trailed by Ana-Leigh and Silver Swan when suddenly....>>

 

[Silver Swan]

in the hospital

[ Sharon followed along until SHE, before any of them, heard the extra sets of heart beats..the hushed, urgent whispers of "Killing Barnett...." & "Collaring the john doe & preparing him for transport"]

They're here! 5 of them. They're going to kill her....and take him away!

[ Silver Swan lifts off the ground, flying up OVER the others and zooming down the hall.]

Delilah: Sharon! SILVER SWAN! WAIT!....

[ But Delilah with her perfect vision, would see two nurses laying on the floor...and the legs of a doctor who was also laying on the floor, his body halfway in Alycia's room.]

<< Two suited mystech goons in Alycia's room. Two more in Richard Martin's room. The 5th had cruelly dispatched three innocent hospital staff who were trying to care for these injured patients.>>

HEY! LEAVE HER ALONE!

[ Silver Swan happens upon the 5th goon first. The next thing the others here are his screams before they SEE him fly out of Alycia's room and make fatal, BONE CRUSHING impact into the wall in the hallway before falling to the floor...bloodied and DEAD.]

 

[Seer]

not safe even in a hospital

<< For Ana-Leigh, the sight of Silver Swan was definitely unusual. She was beautiful but very cold and hard in her presentation. Still, the woman was helping them with Alycia so that was really all that mattered to her at the moment. Ana-Leigh had not yet realized that this woman was ALSO "SIRYN" but the resemblance TO her was uncanny.>>

<< Delilah soon realized that while Alycia's accident was not mystech engineered....her life being in danger NOW was most definitely because of them. Silver Swan took off ahead of them and it soon became clear why.>>

<< Delilah knew now that they had to be dealt with. At the same time, her portable cerebra began going off. There was a neo mutant in close proximity. As she reached the room just before Alycia's...the scanner registered at full alert. and not a moment too soon because more mystech agents were in HIS room as well.>>

<< It was up to them to save them both!>>

<< Silver Swan and Ana-Leigh in Alycia's room, Delilah and Bishop in the young neo mutant's room next door>>

 

[Matrix]

Rich opened his eyes...surveyed his surroundings.

A hospital bed, IV in his left arm (damn he must have been OUT of it for THAT to work!), clothes nowhere to be seen as he could not maintain them. He slowly tried all of his extremities...everything was there.

He KNEW that he would not only be fine, but probably healed in a few hours. It would be a few second except for ONE thing. He was SO HUNGRY. He had burned through his energy with the T-Rex gambit...he HAD to solve that issue somehow. He had some ideas he was working through while looking out the window when he saw movement in the window reflection.

Two of those Mystech guys...FUCK. No energy to make any real change. And if they strolled in like that the nurses HAD to be dead. But he was no punk. Perhaps if he played possum they would underestimate him and he could at least cause some commotion, get a shot at running away somehow. SOMEHOW. He had to tell someone about Brenda, about the White Queen.

He closed his eyes to small slits so as to appear asleep while watching them approach. Meanwhile, he was preparing his last stand. He knew that if he was caught his goose was COOKED...

 

[Bishop]

He had run up Fifth Avenue, tourists and shoppers staring, then hung a right at 59th and cut to Lex before heading north. It didn’t take him more than 15 minutes to locate Alycia’s car, or what was left of it. But no Alycia.

“Damn.”

He could barely make out Silver Swan flying overhead. He spoke into the comlink on his wrist – one identical to Sharon’s.

“She’s not here, MorningStar.”

He looked around him for some clue as to where she could have gone.

Delilah: “She in an ambulance. Silver Swan, get yourself and Bishop to Lennox Hill Hospital….[pause] Artemis and I will meet you there. MorningStar out.”

And just like that Silver Swan had PICKED HIM UP and was FLYING him north towards the hospital.

“Neat trick, bird lady.”

For Connor, that was a compliment.

They started inside just as he saw Delilah and Ana-Leigh coming in from the parking garage. They all walked quickly to the check in desk.

Delilah: “What room has Alycia Barnett been taken to?”

The receptionist had decided to be a bitch today, and gave them some bullshit about family only.

Delilah was using her best authoritative voice, and had pulled out her phone and was calling the mayor. How she had his home number in her cell phone, he didn’t want to know. But they were still getting nowhere. And Connor was getting pissed.

Finally, he SLAMMED his fist down onto the counter in front of the woman.

“Listen, lady – you’re going to tell us where Alycia is right now or so help me-“

He was about to pull the gun from his back when Sharon started doing some weird shit. But suddenly the bitch and the nurses around her couldn’t be HAPPIER to help them get to their friend. He really liked having her on their side.

He pushed Delilah quickly to the elevator, up to Alycia’s floor and down the hall to where her room would be.

He heard Silver Swan behind him:

They're here! 5 of them. They're going to kill her....and take him away!

He turned.

“What? He who?”

Silver Swan started to fly down the hall.

“Fuck. Me.”

Delilah called for Sharon to wait, but she didn’t listen. Surprise surprise. Delilah’s eyes narrowed, as she clearly saw what was going on.

Delilah: [motioning to him] “Go. Go!”

He left Delilah and raced down the hall. His eyes took in the bodies of the nurses and doctor, then a body flew out of Alycia’s room and hit the wall with a sickening sound. Silver Swan was inside with Alycia and two more guys who were decidedly NOT doctors or male nurses. He could see two more in the next room, where a young man was apparently unconscious in the bed. The other accident survivor.

He pulled the gun from his back and fired into the room.

 

[MorningStar]

Delilah sat at the console in the War Room, Ana-Leigh next to her. They were monitoring surveillance cameras and listening in on the EMTs and police but hadn’t found any sign of Alycia. Bishop’s voice came over his comlink and broadcast in the room.

Bishop: “She’s not here, MorningStar.”

And then they heard over the EMT band:

We have an African American female. approximate age early 30s. 5'11, 143 lbs. She was driving a black Cadillac CTS and collided with a light pole. Fracture in forearm and severe head injury. Subject is unconscious and unresponsive.

Delilah pressed the button to speak to Bishop and Silver Swan.

“She in an ambulance. Silver Swan, get yourself and Bishop to Lennox Hill Hospital….”

Delilah started to continue but then stopped and turned and looked at Ana-Leigh. After a second:

“Artemis and I will meet you there. MorningStar out.”

She wheeled herself around and towards to the door. She called behind her to Ana-Leigh.

“You’re going to have to drive.”

After riding up to grab the keys to Delilah’s car from the apartment, Karen offered to “help” them and the car get to the hospital more quickly. Ana-Leigh pulled into the hospital garage and they hurried inside, seeing that Bishop and Silver Swan were already there. Delilah wheeled herself right up to the check in desk.

“What room has Alycia Barnett been taken to?”

The receptionist looked her up and down.

Receptionist: ”I’m sorry, but I can only give that information to immediate family.”

“She’s my sister.”

The receptionist gave her a look, but Delilah shot daggers right back at her.

“I’m adopted.”

Receptionist: ”Bring one of your parents in then.”

She pulled her phone out of her purse and called a number from her contact list. She eyed the receptionist.

“In case you were wondering, I’m calling the mayor. He doesn’t like to be disturbed at home, but I’m sure he’ll be as upset as I am when he hears how you’re preventing a CRIPPLE from visiting her sister in the hospital BECAUSE OF RACISM.”

She made sure to say “cripple” and “racism” at the top of her voice.

The phone had just started ringing when suddenly Sharon started speaking strangely, and everyone started doing whatever they asked. Delilah pressed End on her phone.

Connor pushed her to the elevator and they rode up to Alycia’s floor. He marched down the hall to her room, pushing her with Sharon and Ana-Leigh behind them. But then suddenly Silver Swan cried out:

They're here! 5 of them. They're going to kill her....and take him away!

Bishop: “What? He who?”

“Sharon! SILVER SWAN! WAIT!....”

Sharon was flying down the hallway. Delilah looked, she could see the bodies of two nurses in the hallway and the legs of what looked like a doctor halfway into Alycia’s room.

Connor was still pushing her, but she grabbed his arm and motioned him forward, signaling him to help Sharon.

“Go. Go!”

She took over the chair and rolled down the hallway. She could move faster than you’d think in her chair. But in the seconds it took her to close the distance, something odd happened. The portable monitor she was wearing started to go off, which could mean only one thing: someone in their immediate vicinity was a mutant. It got louder and more rapid as she reached the room just before Alycia’s.

The young man she’d hit…

She called behind her to Ana-Leigh:

“Help Sharon – protect Alycia!”

Connor had fired off a shot into the man’s room. She looked up and raised her hand in the air, emitting a directed flash of light that would scramble all of the security cameras in the hallway and any footage they had recently taken. Then she rounded the corner into the young man’s room, stretched her arm out in front of her - her hand open and palm out - and blasted the uninjured man away from the bed.

 

[Silver Swan]

In the hospital

Agent: ..... It's Silver Swan and the mutant that was with Alycia earlier! Hurry up and finish off the lawyer before....

[ he began to communicate with his command base but it was too late]

Before Silver Swan DESTROYS YOU? TOO LATE!

[ He turns and opens fire on Silver Swan. She brings her armoured arm up and deflects the bullets with amazing speed and timing, "wonder woman" style. as they bounce off her, she gabs his gun weilding hand and CRUSHES the gun IN his hand. His scream is heard as she then spins swings him around and throws him, adding a well placed round house kick squarely to his chest to send him flying out into the hall way. He lands near his other fallen partner. his chest caved in. his hand mangled beyond repair.]

[ Turning her head, she sees the other one trying to finish the job. She points and shouts to Artemis!]

There's another one! HURRY!

 

[Ana-Leigh Moreau]

Arriving in the hospital, Ana-Leigh was sick with worry. Alycia had been found, but that didn't mean that she wasn't severely hurt. After having issues with actually getting information from the receptionist about Alycia, Silver Swan began to talk to her in a sing-song like tune and convince the woman to tell them where Alycia was. It was strange....the voice sounded so familiar....

As they made their way down to Alycia's room, immediately Sharon began to take off in a fit. MysTech was already there! Ana-Leigh began to run down the hall--a suited man came flying out of Alycia's room hitting the sterile white hospital wall with a sickening crack before sliding down it. Red blood coated the wall. Ana didn't stop; she ran into Alycia's room seeing Silver Swan taking care of another agent while another was primed and ready to attack her. Picking up the closest thing her to--a bed pan-- Ana charged it until it glowed a brilliant gold before throwing it like a frisbee at the agent. Despite the agent batting the bed pan away with his arm, the concussive force of the explosion as it hit his arm knocked him to the ground. As he was down, she lifted her flexed leg into the air and slammed her heal into his face. As he babied his face, Ana karate chopped her forearm into the arm of the 80's style wooden chair that was in Alycia's room, shattering it on impact. Grabbing a large shard of wood, Ana charged it just as the agent began to sit up. Slamming the wood into the hallow of his throat, the explosion literally blew his head off his body, causing the body to fall to the floor and the head to roll out into the hallway.

Sharon had taken care of the other agent, allowing Ana-Leigh to make her way over to Alycia's side. She looked pretty damn banged up....and all because of this boy in the other room. She didn't realize the circumstances of what had happened, all she knew was that he caused the accident.

Taking her hand, she was pretty out of it still.

"Alycia...? Hey, you're okay now. Delilah, Sharon, and I are here."

 

[Matrix]

Rich kept watch, body tensed. He was draining the IV as one might drain a drink, his veins sucking as much energy from the Saline-Dextrose drip as he could in order to make a move.

He was JUST about to move when some guy puts a bullet in one of the guard's heads, then a lady in a wheelchair BLASTS the other with a laser from her hands. As the man falls Rich took a moment to decide if he should move or not, or if he should fight these people or not. He decided to take a calculated risk.

He pulled the IV free of his arm and rolled out of bed in one motion, leaving the bed between them and regarding them suspiciously. He was in a slight squat so as to retrieve some modesty, quickly grabbing the sheets and wrapping it around himself. He could have MADE clothes but he wanted to keep the energy he had just gleaned...JUST IN CASE.

So...I guess you guys know who Mystech REALLY is?

 

[Seer]

danger and uncertainty

<< The agents, the best mercenaries money can buy, are no match for Silver Swan and Artemis as they are quickly and brutally dispatched. Alycia Barnett will live to tell her ordeal and is now under the protection of a vengeful mutate and the powerful young mutant who's become fast friends with Alycia.>>

<< A room away...>>

<< The mystech agents are quite surprised as Bishop bursts into the room, firing off his weapon.>>

<< the agent just misses the bullets and recognizes Bishop, who is ALSO a mercenary, of terrifying skill. He attempts to call in to base that Bishop and high priority target MorningStar have arrived. He doesnt get out more than an exclamation and the start of his communication before Bishop shoots him dead and takes the tech he was wearing. He decides to take the paraphernalia back to Illustra for analysis in the War Room.>>

<< The other two agents in the room are dealt with by MorningStar. The first one is K.O.'ed by a direct impact from her solid light photon beam. The second is DAZZLED into a catatonic stupor by her dazzle-flash. He's also left blinded.>>

<< Richard Martin, now far less groggy but still quite weak, is taken aback by his saviors but smart enough to know that any ENEMY of those goons may well be of help to him. More than even he could guess.>>

<< Now that the immediate danger was averted, the uncertainty that was no stranger to any of them was now at the forefront, with the young Richard Martin underdstandibly wary of his rescuers Bishop and MorningStar but if anyone could reach him, it was Delilah.>>

<< and Ana-Leigh now by a badly hurt Alycia's side. From that uncertainty though would come yet another reminder of the bigger picture, as Ana-Leigh would soon realize that the boy who'd unintentionaly caused Alycia's accident was none other than Richard Martin, a fellow "spotlight danger" of Siryn...who, unbeknownst to them both, was Silver Silver Swan.>>

 

[Artemis]

Lennox Hospital

:: Alycia didn't know how lucky she was. But it wasn't just luck. The fact that she was in very good shape, young and possessed of a strong spirit and strength of will all played a role in her pulling through the immediate period following her car accident.::

:: Still, she was in a bad way. She was stabilized but still in serious condition. Her near, unintended victim, Richard Martin was in slightly better shape than she was.::

:: Listless and in and out of consciousness...she was barely aware of how much danger she was in as her attending physician and nurses were murdered and she herself was about to be killed by the very goons she'd faced and fought off several times before.::

:: But she was saved. Rescued by Silver Swan and Artemis, her friend Ana-Leigh.::

.....

:: she turned her head from side to side, shutting her eyes tightly as she groaned. she was groggy.::

Taking her hand, she was pretty out of it still.

"Alycia...? Hey, you're okay now. Delilah, Sharon, and I are here."

:: Alycia soon slightly gripped Ana-Leigh's hand. It was a good sign. She was AWARE to some degree and she recognized her friend.::

boy....in the road...he fell ....

where....

:: Silver Swan stood by the door, keeping guard in case anyone else should arrive. ::

Silver Swan: The one that the other mystech agents were after. in the room next door. that's who she's talking about. Bishop and MorningStar stopped them from taking him.