Terror & the city

[Ruby]

“Hot water and tea would be lovely…but no, thank you, I’m fine.”

:: Cass started to get up on the hot water and tea part and then sat back down as Mina said that she was fine anyway. ::

"Okay then."

:: She placed her hands on her knees and looked around the room, waiting. She was anxious to do something, anything. As Mina addressed Michael, she turned her head to face him and awaited his reply. ::

 

[Arsenal]

The Doctor cleaned his wound, and then said some shit and he was right as rain. The damndest thing he had ever seen. As he smiled and stretched he looked eye-to-eye with Karen and said his thanks silently. The fleeting moment was broken by Mina's question.

“Officer Armstrong…what do the police know about what is causing this…situation?”

No idea what top brass or some of the political guys know. All I know is that we were called to a Brooklyn Cyclones game not too far from here. By the time I got there, a security guard had already been bitten. As you guys are aware, it was already too late for him. The crowd...was mauling each other...dying and getting up in seconds, all zombies.

We'd probably never even made it out of there except I remembered a case a while back. A young lady was at the hospital, she was the only survivor and Doctor Victoria, you were the attending practitioner on this case for her. THAT is where I had seen you before. She kept babbling about them not dying no matter what they did...about them falling and getting back up to feed again. People kept saying she was crazy, but you didn't and neither did I. She looked too scared to be psychotic and had no drugs in her system. I never forgot that.

So I ordered my men to shoot all infected in the head. Anyone seen mauling anyone, anyone who had fallen and was dead. A few refused. They were the first to be overtaken. The rest of us got out but were separated. That is when I found you two.

I knew that I had seen you somewhere. You are Morgan Victoria's mother. The last I heard, you were in hiding after your daughter's death. SOMEONE got that case buried. No arrests and no further investigation into a case that was obviously not an accident or natural causes? Dee Trelevan quit the force right after and that confirmed the stink all over that case. There were some guys that wanted to help but we couldn't find EITHER of you. There are probably 10 copies of that file hanging around, good cops who hate what this city has come to and look around a little every week. I personally think it has something to do with Mystech. They have too many hands into too many pies from what I have seen. Considering what some protesters have claimed this could even be them somehow. But I have no way to know sitting in here. I have to get out of this area before someone orders it cleansed.

 

[Shadow Weaver]

J's Bar

<< now that they all had a moment of relative safety, they began to try to make sense of things. Karen listened as Michael spoke.>>

...We'd probably never even made it out of there except I remembered a case a while back. A young lady was at the hospital, she was the only survivor and Doctor Victoria, you were the attending practitioner on this case for her. THAT is where I had seen you before. She kept babbling about them not dying no matter what they did...about them falling and getting back up to feed again.

<< the others looked at Karen while Karen herself thought for a moment and REMEMBERED...>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< At the hospital>>

<< The trauma center.>>

<< The paramedics and trauma receiving team on staff struggle with the transfer of a young girl a brunette. As the paramedics rely first response information to the nurses, the girl SCREAMS and writhes with utter fear and agony.>>

<< Dr. Victoria arrives asking for the report and situation.>>

<< A rapid montage of frozen images. The girl, at various views, scream, terrified, covered in blood. her voice is filled with panic and echoes...>>

<<....NOW in Karen's memory as it did then at the hospital>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< views of the the girl from KAREN'S point of view. She's so young...like Morgan. She's utterly TERRIFIED but there's NO visible physical wounds aside from minor scrapes and cuts consistent with falling on rough forest terrain.>>

<< the trauma team, under Karen's direction struggles to restrain the girl. The scene is TERRIFYING even for a seasoned professional.>>

<< Eventually the girl is sedated and resting. She's placed in a private secure room under police watch.>>

<< the girl survived, but no one believed her story...even though all drug test results prooved negative, the police department was still wanting to write it off as a girl who went on some wild drug fueled excurision...OR that perhaps she had encountered wild animals in the forest...NO ONE BELIEVED HER...except...>>

but you didn't and neither did I. She looked too scared to be psychotic and had no drugs in her system. I never forgot that.

neither did i....

<<FLASH!>>

<< the hospital. later that night. In karen's office. it's dark and storming outside.>>

<< Michael Armstrong and another officer stand in her office...>>

Officer Armstrong: Dr. Victoria...what are you saying?

Dr. Victoria: I'm saying that the police's theory about her being drug sick is medically impossible. We've tested her for EVERYTHING and there is NOTHING in her system. Not even prescription drugs!

2nd Officer: We found her in the forest...on the ground, covered in blood...maybe she was part of a freaked out cult or something...

<< Karen glares at the 2nd officer.>>

Officer Armstrong: I'm sorry, I failed to see the degree in Biology in your file? And I thought you wanted to be a cop, not a meter maid. Your current lack of decorum suggests otherwise. Should I inform the lieutenant of your true aspirations?


<< Smirking a bit, Karen looks back at Michael. He was a stand out, like Delilah. Both of them a TRUE credit to the NYPD.>>

Dr. Victoria: That child has experienced something so terrifying and traumatic that she was on the verge of FRAGMENTING in her psyche! Whatever happened to her in the forest...it was SIGNIFICANT. I am a psychotherapist. That is my speciality. I know the difference between bad acting and real TERROR, officer.

<< More than that...she had EXPERIENCED terror HERSELF from the hands of her husband, who was actually indirectly INVOLVED in the forest incident.>>

<< they continue to speak..trying to figure out how to classify this. but it became clear to both of them that something BIGGER than them was behind all this...manipulating things. At that time Michael had a better idea than Karen as to what...or WHOM. but it didnt make his job any easier.>>

<< a horizontal three way split view. Michael's eyes. the terrified girl's strained, teary eyes. Karen's eyes.>>

<< a HOWL. the eyes of a ZOMBIE in the dark forest!>>

<< Karen shut her eyes tightly. Rubbing her temples. She was showing signs of distress.>>

<< exhaling>> yes...i do remember all of that...

I knew that I had seen you somewhere. You are Morgan Victoria's mother. The last I heard, you were in hiding after your daughter's death. SOMEONE got that case buried. No arrests and no further investigation into a case that was obviously not an accident or natural causes? Dee Trelevan quit the force right after and that confirmed the stink all over that case.

<< a tear falls down from one of Karen's eyes as she looks up again. Michael had essentially BLOWN AWAY whatever relative anonymity she might have had among the people in this room, with the exception of Mina. It was just as well. She couldnt hide who she was forever.>>

My daughter was murdered...a year ago.

Delilah Trelevan...is...was her best friend.

I WAS in hiding...her father...my ex-husband...Dr. Christopher Victory....he was a geneticist and bio researcher for Mystech. He....

<<FLASH!>>

<< Christopher SUDDENLY spins around and BACK HANDS Karen with such force...she cries out with pain as she falls to the floor>>

Christopher: You think you can cast me out of my OWN HOUSE, WOMAN!?

<< lightning strobes and thunder crashes outside as Christopher's dark form looms over Karen who is reeling from being STRUCK by her husband.>>

Christopher: All that I do, all my work is to make sure MORGAN AND BLAZE will have secure, comfortable lives. But you don't care about THAT. You AND Morgan are SO UNGRATEFUL. NEVER SUPPORTIVE.

...hurt me....and my daughter....she...

<<FLASH!>>

Christopher: You were WARNED, Daughter. But I should have known you would not listen. You're just like your BITCH mother. ALWAYS interferring. ALWAYS defying me! I offered you and Blaze BOTH a life of adventure and prosperity in the SERVICE OF MYSTECH. You could have been magnificent but instead it's come to THIS. You're both too much of a threat and liability. You know too much. I regret it has come to this. ”


<< now on the ground and badly hurt, Morgan can hardly respond to her father, who looms over her so large and twisted. no longer the man she once knew, love or trusted. He hadn't been THAT for sometime. But NOW? He stands before them, over them. Black is closing in. She's injured, shivering...she can't fly...or even teleport.>>

<< She attempts to cover and shield her sister from Black's assault but it is of no use.>>

Black:
"Obedience breeds discipline. Discipline breeds unity. Unity breeds power. Power is LIFE!" ”

<< Black attacks, savagely. Bombarding Spellbinder and Foxfire with nega energy. It slices THROUGH them to their very core...they're WRACKED with unearthly pain as their bodies seize and their insides RUPTURE. Their SCREAMS finally give out as Blaze dies and Morgan slumps over her sister, dead as well. Their bodies now battered beyond recognition and steam rises up from the circumference of the floor around them singed by the blast area.>>

she died...while trying to help her sister escape her THEIR father.

<< Karen left out several details.Like how Delilah went back and struck down Christopher in an act of VENGEANCE for Morgan and freeing Karen from living in FEAR or at least AS MUCH fear...>>

There were some guys that wanted to help but we couldn't find EITHER of you. There are probably 10 copies of that file hanging around, good cops who hate what this city has come to and look around a little every week. I personally think it has something to do with Mystech. They have too many hands into too many pies from what I have seen. Considering what some protesters have claimed this could even be them somehow. But I have no way to know sitting in here. I have to get out of this area before someone orders it cleansed.

Christopher Victory has been dealt with. He PAID for what he did to my daughter.

<< Karen's voice went from grief stricken to BITTER as she said that. But didnt say anything about Delilah's current activities. But she could tell Michael was truly one of the GOOD guys, like Delilah. It was nice to know not ALL of the NYPD was in bed with Mystech.>>

The city ...the people will need men like you Michael. Tonight is an example of the EVIL that IS mystech. They are the only ones capable of such NIGHTMARISH horror.

<< But there were people capable of STOPPING this before it spiraled out of control too! Karen HAD to reach Delilah before it was too late!>>

We're safe for now...and now that Michael is restored by my magick, we can make an attempt to escape here.

 

[Arsenal]

Christopher Victory has been dealt with. He PAID for what he did to my daughter.

<< Karen's voice went from grief stricken to BITTER as she said that. But didnt say anything about Delilah's current activities. But she could tell Michael was truly one of the GOOD guys, like Delilah. It was nice to know not ALL of the NYPD was in bed with Mystech.>>

The city ...the people will need men like you Michael. Tonight is an example of the EVIL that IS mystech. They are the only ones capable of such NIGHTMARISH horror.

<< But there were people capable of STOPPING this before it spiraled out of control too! Karen HAD to reach Delilah before it was too late!>>

We're safe for now...and now that Michael is restored by my magick, we can make an attempt to escape here.

As Karen wavered, Mike grasped her hand to steady her. He was a hard ass, but he was no monster. And a grieving mother was a grieving mother. After she spoke of escape, he stood up, taking charge.

OK. There is a back exit here, out to the alley. Going to the street will be a disaster. I am at point, the doc to one side, young gun over there to the other, Mina in the middle and the bartender bringing up the rear WITH THE KEYS. If it gets too squirrelly we retreat BACK in. The goal is to find a suitable ride to take us out of here. LET NOTHING TOUCH YOU. The key is to keep as much space as you can between yourself and them while dealing with them. I will call out as quietly as possible where we will be going. DO NOT GET SEPARATED.

Mike stood, pulled his uniform back together and checked his weapons.

Grab anything you can use that can cut from a distance. A fire axe, whatever it takes. Only beheading or a head shot will stop them for good.

 

[Ruby]

:: Cass listened as Karen and Michael talked about her, Karen, and her daughter. She listened and watched as Karen struggled to talk about Morgan and what happened with MysTech. That made HER think about her brother, Thomas. ::

Thomas. He should NOT have died!

:: Cass' hands clenched into fists as she remembered the details of her brother's death. ::

MysTech. THEY are just as BAD as those Nazis who killed my brother!

:: She knew all about MysTech and how they experimented on people, tortured people and mutants alike...just like the Nazis did to her beloved brother. It made her angry and she wanted nothing to do with them. ::

*vehemently*: I HATE MysTech!! They're Nazis, every single one of them!

:: She sat scowling, her hands in fists. ::

 

[Shadow Weaver]

J's Bar

<< Mike gently squeezed her hand. It helped her come out of the emotional turbulence that was dusting up in her soul at that moment and focus on what was at hand. It was a completely unexpected thing...running into this young man again after all this time. If there were more time...better circumstances, she'd put him in touch with Alycia Barnett...maybe get him connected to Terra Save...but now was not the time.>>

<< Cass spoke out against Mystech. There was definitely contempt in her voice. Karen felt the same way.>>

Cass, I quite agree. Mystech runs unchecked, causing and promoting suffering in the community it claims to help. They ruin lives...utterly...And its reach and influence only GROWS. We ALL must do our part to escape this place...to LIVE and hopefully see the tables TURN on this EVIL entity.

<< standing up and moving over to where Mina was sitting, Karen listened intently as Mike spoke of an escape plan.>>

I'm concerned for Mina's safety. She's blind.

Andrew, Cass...would you stay close to her?

I'll work along side Michael, using my magick.

<< she needed to get herself and Mina [& unbenknownst to her at the moment, Andrew as well] back to Illustra. But they had to get into a vehicle that could carry all of them first and THAT was going to be a harrowing task in itself. So...first thing's first. Preparing to go out into the open and find a vehicle and get away from this place.>>

 

[Ruby]

:: Cass shook her head, as if to get rid of the thoughts about MysTech. She straightened her back and shoulders and focused on the task currently at hand. ::

Andrew, Cass...would you stay close to her?

I'll work along side Michael, using my magick.

"Yes, I will stay close to her."

:: She stood up and waited for what's next. Truthfully, she thought that MIna could do just fine on her own. Just surviving the zombies with Karen by her side was impressive enough. Cass glanced over at Mina. Even though the young woman was blind, she had proved to everyone, verbally at least, that she could take care of herself and THAT was admirable to Cass. Still, she will stick close to her and make sure that no harm came to her. ::

"I'm ready when you guys are."

 

[Arsenal]

"I'm ready when you guys are."

Then let's go.

Mike sized everyone up quickly as he made his way to the back. The kid had a loud moth but looked like he should be useful. The fact that he was readying to throw a knife said enough about him. Cass moved fluidly...there was something there he could not put his finger on. Karen was fit but was not in any shape to engage zombies physically. Mina was blind, but the way she moved she did not seem so. Something was up, but until lhe knew what, she would get Cass as a tail and the boy as backup.

As the arranged themselves after getting whatever weapons that were available, he re-positioned Karen to his right hand and just behind him. It was subtle and respectful, but he was firm in that she would not be able to be grabbed quickly once this door opened.

Doc, I have everything nearby and to the right. You cover left to right and intermediate to far away. If it is farther than 50 yards, leave it. Cass, you have Mina with Andrew covering you both. No one talks outside but me unless you are in SERIOUS trouble. If we strike hard and quiet we should be able to find something to commandeer.

Mike prepared to open the door...

 

[Titan]

J's Bar

Andrew was pretty sure he’d just seen magic. Like, honest to goodness, presto change-o, pointy hat with stars and moons on it, magic. His mother had been right about New York City, after all. Damn.

Karen and Officer Shoot-First-Ask-Questions-Later talked for a while about the (zombie) outbreak and seeing it before. Which, he guessed, was good because that meant it had been stopped before. But then the Doctor went on to talk about her daughter. Andrew could have filled in some of the holes from that story, he realized, from his conversation with Delilah. It dawned on him that this women must know her. But he said nothing.

Until, that is…

We're safe for now...and now that Michael is restored by my magick, we can make an attempt to escape here.

“Oh, so NOW you want to leave?”

A playful smile came across Andrew’s face.

Officer Mike then decided he was in charge, which of course Andrew was going to comment on, until he said,

I am at point

“Sounds good to me.”

He slapped Mike on the back good naturedly.

“Been nice knowing ya, buddy.”

He turned smiling towards Karen, who was bothered about Mina.

Andrew, Cass...would you stay close to her? I'll work along side Michael, using my magick.

Reprieve.

“Happy to oblige, Doc.”

He leaned in towards Mina and raised his eyebrows, oblivious to the fact that she couldn’t see it.

“Very happy.”

 

[Mina Harker]

J's Bar

Mina listened as Officer Armstrong recounted what little the police force knew about the situation. His interaction with Karen afterward proved much more interesting. It concerned her that someone – especially someone not like them – knew so much about Morgan Victoria and her death. It set off alarm bells for her, but the issue at hand was more pressing. Even forgetting the scant reports about trouble at the Parthenon where Delilah was. Who knew what was happening at Illustra? If it was being overrun by these people, these things, that could be very very bad indeed.

As much as it pained her to admit Andrew being right about anything, he was – they needed to get out of this room and soon. Luckily, Karen seemed to have come around, perhaps sensing the danger as well. The doctor was exceedingly concerned about her well-being, devoting an uncomfortable amount of attention to it.

“Karen, I appreciate your concern, but do not trouble yourself about me. If danger presents itself, just call out its location. My other senses will aid me. Do not put yourselves in harm’s way on my account.”

Still, Karen asked Andrew to keep an eye on her, something Mina could sincerely say she wished to avoid. But she knew Karen meant well.

Andrew leaned in close to her face. She could feel his leer. Reaching up with her free hand, she put her palm on his face and pushed his away.

“I may be blind, but I’m not stupid.”

 

[Ruby]

J's Bar - Back Exit

Doc, I have everything nearby and to the right. You cover left to right and intermediate to far away. If it is farther than 50 yards, leave it. Cass, you have Mina with Andrew covering you both. No one talks outside but me unless you are in SERIOUS trouble. If we strike hard and quiet we should be able to find something to commandeer.

:: Cass nodded and moved into position, just behind Mina but close enough in case Mina needed her. ::

"Got it."

Andrew leaned in close to her face. She could feel his leer. Reaching up with her free hand, she put her palm on his face and pushed his away.

“I may be blind, but I’m not stupid.”

:: Cass had to turn her head so Andrew couldn't see the beginnings of her smile crossing her lips. She made a coughing noise, as to disguise her laughter and quickly turned back to Mina. ::

"Mina, I'm here if you should need help. On your right side. Andrew is on your left, if you need help from him."

:: She nodded her head sharply to Andrew, an unspoken message saying that the time for jokes and flirting had passed and to be on his game for whatever they should face. He did pretty good when the zombies first attacked, after all. Cass was somewhat relieved by that. ::

 

[Seer]

how it happened

<< outside of J's Bar, Karen's spell has repelled all physical intrusion...but where one zombie was...now there is a dozen...and that's just at the front!>>

<< A freeze frame of J's Bar.>>

<< FLASH!>>


<< zoom downn below grown through sewer passages, hading back toward the HELLFIRE CLUB.>>

<< The secrent underground sup layers. Beyond the reach or knowledge of most eyes and minds. Even members of the Hellfire Club outside of the elite Inner Circle arent aware.>>


<< Within the sprawling underground sup layers of the Hellfire Mansion there is a world apart. And from the express jet passages leading away from an underground dock, one can reach and connect to many places in the city.>>

<< FLASH!>>

<< A few hours ago, in the control center.>>

Malice: Is everything set for our strike against Silver Swan and the other rabble?

Hunk: << a view of the mysterious, deadly commanding officer >>: Yes, Malice. The Pursuer was brought online from Birken's lab and released on schedule. It is making it's way to the Parthenon as we speak.

Malice: And SPEAKING of Birkin...

<< The white queen turns in her seat, still largely cloaked in shadow>>

Hunk: Our mole has informed us that he has successfully synthized a designer varient of the T virus used to create the Tyrant and Pursuer. He calls it the G virus.

Malice: And he has not shared any of this with ME.

Hunk: He's planning to double cross Mystech, Ma'am.

Malice: Ever since the mansion incident in Arklay forest, I KNEW he had a hidden agenda. I plucked it from his twisted, avaricious mind.

<<FLASH>>

<< Arklay Mansion, in the forest where the girl Michael and Karen saw at the hospital was rescued from.>>

<< Images of Dr. Birken experimenting on T Virus mutated leeches in the Arklay Mansion....>>

Malice: When Helena, Christopher, Adam and myself eliminated Lord Spencer and James Marcus...we allowed Dr. Birken to live because of his incredible genius and progress with the bio technology that was Mystech's cornerstone. But even that night...I knew he could only be trusted so far.

<< turning back, the White Queen faces the large central monitor, surrounded by floating sreens of vaious sizes.>>

Take your elite squad, follow the Pursuer and Secure the G virus from Dr. Birken. You know where his lab is. Make SURE he is eliminated and gather all his files to be brought back here.

Hunk: Yes ma'am.

Malice: and Hunk? failure....is NOT an option.

Hunk: Yes ma'am.

<<That was earlier in the day.>>

<< FLASH!>>

<< 3 hours ago.>>

<< zoom along through one of the express jet passages to another dock. down a hall to the underground lab of Dr. Birken.>>

<< Hunk and his team burst in. two men in the front. They gun him down. As he falls to the ground, they secure a sample of the completed G Virus and quickly download his files. After being taunted by Hunk and left for dead, the doctor struggles...his lenched hand unfolds to reveal a syringe of the G-virus!>>

Birken: G...will...save me....

<< Zoom in close for a view of him injecting the virus into his arm.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< 2 hours ago>>

<< in the underground passage...gun fire erupts. Flashes of light can be seen and the illuminate the terrifying form of a now MONSTROUS mutated Dr. Birken as he closes in on and ANNIHILATES Hunk's squad. All except for Hunk, of course, who has an uncanny ability to survive seemingly ANY situation.>>

<< the violence is bloody and brutal. Hunk manages to escape with only one G virus sample in tact. The mutated Dr. Birken continues down the underground passage.>>

<< A view of a gutted body...the remains of a soldier killed by Birken.>>

<< soon, rats begin to creep along and inspect the remains and then, like any scavanger, they begin to feed. Only they are feeding on G virus infected blood and tissue and soon, the rats succumb to the virus, preying on one another.>>

<< However...ONE manages to survive and scuttle away.>>

<< fleeting views of the underground sewer from the rat's point of view. creeping along, rounding corners, scaling up pipes, darting this way and that.>>

<< eventually it climbs up through a sewer grate and we see...the stadium where the Brooklyn Cyclone's game is in progress.>>

<< it only takes one thing...one drop...one BITE.>>

<<As the rat makes its way out into the open it's first victim is an unsuspecting homeless man rummaging through a dumpster.>>

<< 20 minutes later, that man is a zombie.>>

<< An hour and a half later there is pandemonium at the stadium which soon spreads to J's Bar and several other locations.>>

<< at this time, the Pursuer attacks Silver Swan at the Parthenon.>>

<< Malice's directed strike against Silver Swan starts out with a bang, but now she is faced with an unexpected PROBLEM as reports and feeds from around the city come in about a virus outbreak. As data streams in and she gets views of where the unintended bio terror event is unfolding...>>

Malice: HUNK?!

<< she bellows into the communicator>>

Malice:Hunk ANSWER me. What has happened!?

Hunk: Birken injected himself with the G virus...mutated and wiped out my team.

Malice: DAMMIT!

<< slamming her fist down on her console>>

Hunk: I have the G Virus sample.

Malice: and what about Birken?

Hunk: Still at large.

Malice: << exhaling with annoyance>> Hunk is my best in the field. No one should have survived that strike...But Birken... he LOVED the virus more than his own wife and daughter. His strength of will most have given him the time he needed to inject the virus before he died form his injuries.

<<to Hunk.>>: Get back here quickly. I'm sealing off the Hellfire Mansion and putting security on red alert to protect it. I want you to summon the Biohazard countermeasure squad to deal with this outbreak BEFORE it gets completely out of hand.

This unexpected event could RUIN Mystech's thriving status. We don't need this now.

Contain and destroy the infected QUICKLY and make SURE our media cover up plan is put into effect.

Hunk: Yes Ma'am. And Birken?

Malice: He's coming here...for me...

<< From Malice's shadow enshrouded face...a wicked, gleaming SMILE can be seen.>>

Malice: And I will be HAPPY to DEAL with him.

He may be a virus mutated monster...but even a creature such as THAT has a BRAIN and it is in THAT realm that I am without PEER.

<<FLASH!>>

<< J's Bar.>>

<< The survivors are up and ready. They exit the room, moving down the hall toward the back door. All are as ready as can be.>>

<< at the door, Michael leans in and listens to see if there is anything RIGHT at the door. After a few seconds, he nods to Dr. Victoria to deactivate her warding spell.>>

<< as the flaming gold pentagram flashes and fades away, the spell decativates and the group exits into the loading area and alley behind J's Bar.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< inside of J's bar at the FRONT, zombies come falling through the door, slowly crawling and walking. their groans and moans are more terrifying than the uncertain silence from before.>>

<< Back to where the group is. Outside the night are is tinged with fire and smoke. Sirens wail in the distance.>>

<< The group moves quickly. The good news is that there is a delivery truck parked near by. Large enough to fit everyone. Michael will be able to hotwire the vehicle.>>

<< But not so fast!>>

<< three shadows move across the wall from the alley. Zombies. three more from Karen's left. two more coming down the space between J's bar and the next building on Michael's right and four more...two of them police officers...coming from either Cass and Andrew's side.>>

<< the zombies' awful moaning can be heard as they all close in on their intended meals.>>

 

[Titan]

Alley behind J's

Andrew picked up the rear behind Mina. He waited as the Doctor deactivated the spell. He could see the pentagram disappear in a flash and smirked.

“I bet you’re hell at parties, Doctor.”

They got out into the alley and started to move, but before he could ask “Now what?” he saw it and pointed.

“Delivery truck.”

But then he heard it…the groaning. It was a sickening sound, really. Andrew shivered. He saw them coming towards the head of the group from both sides, and turned to change their direction to the other end of the alley, but it was no use – four more were on that side of them. Four that they could see.

Andrew closed the distance between himself and the closest to the rear, pulling his knife from his pocket as he ran. With a smooth motion he threw the blade and watched it embed itself between the creature’s eyes.

 

[Ruby]

:: Cass slowly and cautiously headed out of the bar's back exit and quickly dropped into a fighting stance as soon as she heard the sickly groaning of the zombies. She crouched down low and automatically growled softly in her throat, softer than the humans can hear. Out of her peripheral vision, she spotted one Officer Zombie lumbering towards Mina and Andrew. She quickly tucked herself into a ball and, in an unnatural stunt, 'rolled' herself towards the zombie, making it trip over top of her. ::

:: Her motions almost fluid-like, Cass immediately stood up and brought her foot down hard upon the zombie's face, crushing its face with the heel of her black boot. The zombie reached up and tried to grab her legs but Cass' vampiric skills were too fast for it and she tore the zombie's arm from its torso and threw it farther than any human could throw. She quickly dispatched the other arm and threw it in the opposite direction. ::

"That should keep you occupied for a bit."

:: Cass surveyed the scene, looking for her next 'victim'. She glanced over at Mina, statisfied that no harm had come to her as of yet. She smiled a bit seeing the zombie kicking its legs in frustration, knowing that without arms, zombies usually have a terrible time getting back up again. She jumped over the body and dropped into her standard fighting stance, both hands on the ground, one leg close to her while the other leg is outstretched. She waited patiently, growling low in her throat. It was all she could do to not show her vampric visage. ::

 

[Shadow Weaver]

Outside of J's Bar

<< Karen moved alongside Michael with the others. There was no denying the urgency and uncertainty as they now attempted to escape. The sounds of distress, sirens; the smell of smoke and burning.>>

<< they moved with a purpose and for a few moments, there was no immediate danger.>>

he saw it and pointed.

“Delivery truck.”

<< Michael would have to get the truck going. Karen looked back to make sure the others were keeping close.>>

<< three shadows move across the wall from the alley. Zombies. three more from Karen's left. two more coming down the space between J's bar and the next building on Michael's right and four more...two of them police officers...coming from either Cass and Andrew's side.>>

<< the zombies' awful moaning can be heard as they all close in on their intended meals.>>

Oh no...

<< Karen turned her head to the left. Three of them! Looking as awful and as ravenous as the other two she'd faced earlier.>>

<< Andrew and Cass went on the offensive. BOTH displayed abilities beyond the capacity of any normal baseline human! Andrew's strike was so fast, so accurate. Cass's moves, speed and apparent strength were in stark contrast to her petite form.>>

how fortuitous!

<< what were the chances of Karen and Mina encountering two more supers! well it could only INCREASE their chance of success and with that in mind, Karen exhaled. Trying to let the relief of this unexpected revelation CALM her. Narrowing her opal blue eyes as she looked at the zombies coming toward her and Michael from her left.>>

Hurry Michael! The truck!

<< Michael would have no problem picking off his targets and so Karen turns , sweeping her cape back and facing the zombies.>>

we have to move fast. I can't let them get near me OR the others! casting a SPELL will wast precious seconds. I must strike with DEADLY force!

<< extending her arms forward, halos of golden energy form around each of her outstretched hands. chimes sound off.>>

<< She fires concentrated blasts of dark magick, mystic force bolts, from each hand...hitting two of the three zombies directly in the heads. Their heads glow bright gold as they are enveloped by the blasts and EXPLODE, leaving the headless bodies , now gushing with a mix of blood and golden mystic orbs from the neck area, to fall to their knees and then hit the ground.>>

<< Earlier, she'd struck down two zombies but it was with great hesitation. it was one thing to fight against Diana, a super powered PEER. She initially thought that these creatures were somehow redeemable. No longer.>>

<< She brings her outstretched hands together. A larger halo forms as the third zombie closes in, stretching its arms out as it attempts to LUNGE for her.>>

<< she fires upon it with the same deadly result.>>

<< watching it lurch and then drop to the ground, Karen looks very concerned as she turns to see about the others.>>

 

[Titan]

Andrew stood over the body of the zed-word – “zombie” just sounded crazy. He grabbed the hilt of the knife and stuck a booted foot on the creature’s unmoving chest, then pulled. The knife slid out with some effort, making a sickening sound that added to the grotesque noises of the ribs crushing under his foot. He wiped the blade on the thing’s clothing and turned back.

His eyes looked down the alley in time to see the bargirl tear the arms off one and Karen deal quickly with three more. But there were two bearing down on a stationary Mina as the others were preoccupied. One was reaching a hand out to grab her shoulder.

Andrew quickly assessed his options – too far away for the knife, he spied a fire escape. He sprinted towards the brick wall of the building to the right of him facing the alley. He had momentum enough to climb a few steps up the bricks and caught hold of the fire escape. Holding on with one hand, he swung himself up in a fluid motion, grabbing the lid from a metal garbage can sitting on the escape, then propelling himself forward as let go. Mid-air, he unleashed the lid from his hand, throwing it like a Frisbee and taking the monster nearest Mina’s head clean off.

He was breathing heavily as his feet landed on the alley floor. He had taken care of one of them, but there was still another close behind.

“Mina! There’s another!”

 

[Mina Harker]

Her focus on Karen in front of her meant she didn’t hear the steps behind her. She felt it touch her shoulder and screamed, trying to shake herself loose. Suddenly she heard a slicing sound as something struck the creature and felt it go limp and fall to the ground. Seconds later she heard Andrew call out to her from a distance.

Her focus on herself now, she could hear the second creature’s shuffling feet behind her. She turned, pulling apart her cane with both hands into two pieces, revealing a long blade attached to the handle that now lay in her right hand. She lashed out with it, guided only by sound and the hope that the blade would find her attacker. She felt its hands grab at her, but that gave her the orientation she needed. Dropping the cane in her left hand, she grabbed the zombie with it and held it steady as she plunged the blade in her right deep into its belly. She had skewered the thing but it hadn’t stopped moving its arms and snapping at her with its jaws.

By now, Andrew had apparently closed the distance, because she heard him say:

Andrew: ”Don’t move.”

There was a sound like a gong and the zombie was thrown backwards away from her, sliding off her blade. Andrew’s hands were on her arms and he was asking if she was alright. She nodded slowly.

“My cane…”

 

[Titan]

He ran back towards the others, watching Mina struggle with the second zombie. She had forgotten Mike's words about getting the things in the head and was stabbing at the thing. She had managed to get it stuck on her blade and was struggling with it. He saw the trash lid lying on the ground and picked it up. He was right next to Mina when he told her:

"Don't move."

and bashed the creature with all his strength in the head with the lid, sending it flying backwards to the ground. He stood over it and finished the job his first blow had done to the thing's skull with his boot.

He turned back to Mina, who still stood there, frozen.

He grabbed her by both arms.

"Alright, Mina?"

She nodded. Andrew picked her cane up off the ground where she had dropped it and handed it to her.

"Let's get the hell out of here."

He put a hand on Mina's arm and started leading her towards the delivery truck.

 

[Arsenal]

<< three shadows move across the wall from the alley. Zombies. three more from Karen's left. two more coming down the space between J's bar and the next building on Michael's right and four more...two of them police officers...coming from either Cass and Andrew's side.>>

Mike was no super to be sure. But he was no slouch either.

Blam! Blam!

The two closest to the right went down thrashing, heads oozing blood, and then they were still. Mike saw the delivery truck and, as he made his way to it, he gave a two word order:

Cover me.

He move quickly to the truck, but not NEARLY as quickly as the kid and the barmaid did. He smiled, bemused as he realized that he was likely the weakest sumbitch here.

I'll be damned. Hotwire in 90 seconds. Clear the way doc.

Opening the door, Mike scanned the inside by the book, then checked the back as well. Then with one pull the steering column wiring was exposed. He easily pulled the two wires and started to try to crank the beast.

 

[Ruby]

:: Cass was thrown for a loop when she heard the grabage can lid clanging. Considering her heightened sense of hearing, she was NOT expecting THAT. She shook her head and just in time, she saw another zombie lumbering its way towards Karen's back. She crouched down low and pounced, clearing the five foot gap in one go, and knocked it down sideways, away from Karen. She heard the truck gearing up and turned her head. ::

*yells to nobody in particular*: "Get everybody to safety!"

:: She turned back just in time to see the zombie making chomping noises towards her wrist. ::

*irritated*: "No! I am NOT a snack!"

:: She punched it in the face, smashing its skull. She flipped upwards until she was standing and brought her foot down hard upon the neck, immediately disconnecting the head from the torso. She didn't hesitate for a second, and took off like a shot, towards the truck. ::