The Wrath of Rose

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Ashley's Room

Xavier>> I had a few items in the fire Zachary!

"I understand, Xavier. Just give me all the intel you've got."

Zach replied, his tone less aggressive, but still urgent. He felt bad, realizing he'd been a bit sharp. He'd have to apologize later. Right now, Jake was his top priority. Xavier came back with details. A silver sedan, Audi A8, temporary plates. Zach reached for the doorknob so he could consult Oracle. Ashley stopped him, her hands on his chest.

Ashley: Be careful. I'll do what I can to help her.

He peered back into her eyes, taking a deep breath. He harnessed himself again. She was right, he needed to try to keep his head. There was just something about the thought of Jake getting hurt again that made him absolutely apoplectic. He nodded, as controlled as possible given the circumstances.

"Watch your back out there. Hellfire being involved.... you could be a target too."

He said with grave concern. John called her name, and she yelled back an answer. Zach and Ash kissed, and they went out into the Clocktower proper, with Zach making a beeline for the workstation and Zizi. He was digging his phone out of his pocket, and then dialing Specter's number, as he rounded the corner of the stairs and got a direct line of sight on Zizi's desk.

Zizi wasn't there, and Zach was staring at the back of Gabe's head.

Well isn't this fucking fantastic.

He thought, stopping dead in his tracks. He looked around, lifting his phone to his ear. Zach was hoping there would be someone else here, that he wasn't stuck here alone with this guy. He was disappointed to find everyone had run off, since THEY all had assignments and things to do. All Zach had, was Gabe. His expression dour, he took a deep breath and walked over to where Gabe was. Specter answered the phone.

"Griff, I need a hostage extraction team IMMEDIATELY."

He said, coming to a stop a couple of feet behind Gabe's chair. Over Gabe's shoulder, Zach could see what he was working on.

"The subject's name is Jacob O'Reilly, standard spelling. Male, Caucasian, Eight years old, Hair: Red, Eyes: Blue, Height: around four feet, Weight: probably 60lbs. Nationality: Irish. He's also an American citizen."

Specter had recognized the name, and was asking Zach to confirm if it was the Sanctuary kid that had gotten wounded two nights ago.

"Yes."

Specter was pushing back now, reminding him of the suspension of their Sanctuary contract, and Rose's hostile attitude. Zach looked about ready to punch someone. His words came out like a growl.

"GRIFFIN, I'm declaring Rose 'Non Compos Mentis.' There's PLENTY of evidence to support that claim. I KNOW there's a clause that allows us to act without the owner's express consent, if one or more of the protectees are in danger."

Specter relented, but mentioned Hud would have to be involved.

"GREAT, get Verdict then, but get a team briefed and ready to meet me. Jake was kidnapped in a silver Audi A8, temporary plates, presumably a recent purchase of one 'Dennis Nedry' -- that's November, Echo, Delta, Romeo, Yankee. We're trying to track the vehicle to its destination now."

They said curt goodbyes, and silence fell in the Clocktower. Zach's expression was austere, as he lowered his phone, focusing on the screens ahead, and not looking at Gabe directly. Zach had worked with people he didn't like before. Hell, he'd worked with people he absolutely hated before, it was par for the course, with his career. Never before had it been a job -- or a dislike-- that was so personal in nature, though. He managed his tone with carefully measured diplomacy.

"Gabriel, that little boy is way more important than our... personal issue. I suspect they might try to take him to Hellfire. We have to prevent that from happening. Can you hack the traffic control system, and manipulate the traffic lights to jam up all the routes? If we can gridlock Nedry somewhere, I can lead the extraction team, and get Jake to safety."

 

[Cypher]

Isis: Can you open the bunker, so that Matrix, Tachyon and Titan can get inside?

"Absolutely."

Gabe kept the live security feed up to the camera's surrounding the bunker doors up in one corner of his screen, as well as a live feed from within the bunkers right next to it. The kids looked scared--some crying. It broke Gabe's heart.

As Dominique and the others began a rapid fire conversation, Gabe was already downloading all the information on Nedry onto a flash drive.

Oracle: "I need you. Gabe, put those Nedry files on a flash drive. We may need them - and we may need to prove to Alycia that all is not lost."

"Done."

Handing Zizi the flash drive, he turned back to the monitors and brought up the security footage time stamp from when Nedry first arrived at the sanctuary. He zoomed in on the license plate, cross referencing it to the DMV. Temporary plates.

Oracle: "Try to find the boy, Gabe. I love you."

Gabe was already in the zone, nodding as he hacked the surrounding traffic, ATM, store security, cell phone and any other camera within a ten block radius of the sanctuary. Gabe looked back at Zizi.

"Be careful."

Zizi disappeared and Gabe turned his attention back to the multiple monitors in front of him. Xavier's voice rang over the com-link.

Tachyon: Gabriel, there are children crying. Open your present, or I will open it for you.

The doors immediately opened.

"Done."

He returned to looking for Nedry. That was when he heard Zach's voice behind him. At this point he didn't even have the desire to roll his eyes, react, or even be upset that he was there. There were more pressing issues to deal with that went beyond his contempt for the guy.

Orion: "The subject's name is Jacob O'Reilly, standard spelling. Male, Caucasian, Eight years old, Hair: Red, Eyes: Blue, Height: around four feet, Weight: probably 60lbs. Nationality: Irish. He's also an American citizen."

Gabe brought up Jake's state picture up on the screen, a digital scan of his face hard linking to any camera footage that he had hacked into throughout the city. If there were any similar facial features the camera's picked up that matched Jake, they would get a ping. He kept that along with the security footage of the sanctuary, the bunker, and the search for Nedry's car running all at once on different monitors.

Zach got off the phone just as Gabe found Nedry's car; about five blocks away from the sanctuary heading west.

Orion: "Gabriel, that little boy is way more important than our... personal issue. I suspect they might try to take him to Hellfire. We have to prevent that from happening."

The car was at a traffic light. Gabe hacked into the traffic control systems.

Orion: "Can you hack the traffic control system, and manipulate the traffic lights to jam up all the routes? If we can gridlock Nedry somewhere, I can lead the extraction team, and get Jake to safety."

Before Zach even gave the suggestion, simultaneously all the traffic lights began to turn red.

"I got you."

On top of that, Gabe began to hack the computer systems inside the cars within a two mile radius of Nedry. The funny thing about these 'smart' cars and the new technology, it was so easy to get into and control. Whether the car was off or being driven, Gabe began a wave of 'zombie cars', controlling them to create car accidents within major intersections leading to Hellfire, blocking all routes to the club.

"He's stuck on 5th. [pointing to the one video feed] Traffic accidents here and here are blocking routes to Hellfire. I left 3rd open for your men."

He moved his finger down the path of third directly to the large red dot that indicated Nedry's car.

"I'm working on hacking his car now....but damnit....it looks like they have new firewall technology up in it. Looks like Cassadine tech fitted to its system."

Of fucking course. No wonder Nedry was driving a hot new ride--the club outfitted it in brand new anti hacking technology.

"It might take me a minute."

 

[Titan]

The Clocktower - Media Room to the Sanctuary

It made Andrew so angry that that arsehole was back at Rose's. Despite some of the odd things Rose had done recently, she did a lot for those kids, and didn't deserve to be harassed by some trumped up lackey. Things got worse, as X told them Rose had actually been arrested and the boy taken.

"Poor kid. That fucking bastard."

Rich and Drew, come help me with the kids.

"You got it."

He looked at Rich.

"I'll drive."

He could borrow Zizi's car. But then Rich had him by the shirt.

"Whoa whoa whoa..."

Come with me, I got this.

Rich opened the window.

"Wait, WHAT?"

He was pulling him OUT of the window.

"Wait a minute...is this going to be safe?!"

And then they were out the window and suddenly he was in an aircraft.

"Okay. This is weird."

He was inside Rich. He looked around. It looked like a plane.

"Uh, this doesn't mean we've done it, right?"

He shook his head. Naw.

Rich landed at the Sanctuary and they went out to where the children were. Xavier, Rich and he got the children outside. He tried to stay upbeat, and was pleased that a lot of the kids remembered him from the other day. He found a soccer ball in with their sports equipment, and started to do some tricks while he assembled the kids into a makeshift game.

"X, you be a captain. But no cheating."

The kids were understandably afraid, especially because Rose wasn't there, but he assured them that everything would be alright, and waited for word from the others.

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower

Zach desperately wished Haleigh was here, on their side. She'd shut this city down in a heartbeat. It filled Zach with sorrow to think that Jake was being taken to where Haleigh was, and that a fact that would have once given him relief, now cast uncertainty on everything. Jake wasn't safe where Haleigh was. Haleigh wasn't safe where Haleigh was.

To Zach's utter relief, Gabe was NOT going to act like a total tool today. Zach had braced himself to get told to fuck off, based off the sense of loathing that Gabe was currently emitting. Zach was raising his phone back up to hit redial and tell Specter that his current help was incompetent, and he'd need Clandestine to take over when Gabe found Nedry's car.

Gabe: He's stuck on 5th. [pointing to the one video feed] Traffic accidents here and here are blocking routes to Hellfire. I left 3rd open for your men.

Zach watched Gabe point to a portion of the screen, Jake's location.

Gabe: I'm working on hacking his car now....but damnit....it looks like they have new firewall technology up in it. Looks like Cassadine tech fitted to its system.

Persephone....

He thought bitterly.

Gabe: It might take me a minute.

"Jam Third up as well, don't give him an escape route. We'll drop in."

He said, and texted Griff with one hand.

To Specter>> Need a sling-wing for extraction. Send it my way for pickup first.

From Specter>> Thought you might say that. The pilots are spooling up the engines now. Your team is gearing up. ETA Seven minutes.

It was going to be an excruciating wait. At least they had digital eyes on Nedry's car.

"Gabriel...."

Zach started, still staring at the feed on Jake.

"Thanks."

He said tersely. He still wasn't going to apologize for yesterday, he still wasn't entirely sure Gabe wasn't bad for Zizi's emotional health. But he was starting to allow the idea that maybe, just maybe.... Gabe wasn't a complete asshole. Maybe he was just a part-time prick. Maybe he was just an inconsiderate jerk who didn't realize how poorly he was treating Zizi.

Maybe. But I doubt it.

His phone buzzed and Zach looked at it. Their stealth Blackhawk was hovering overhead at two thousand feet. The amazing thing was, they couldn't hear it at all. Zach set his watch and disappeared from the Clocktower. He reappeared in the center of the open cargo deck.

The team was all strapped in, and they had 'CIA' in big, bold white lettering on the fronts and backs of their body armor. One of the guys handed Zach a helmet. As he pulled it on, one of the others reached over and hooked a rappelling rope up to Zach, who told the pilots the coordinates they needed. Too amped up to sit down, Zach knelt behind one of the door gunners and looked out at the city below. He hadn't done this since he retired from field work. It came back like second nature, as he told the squad what the plan was.

 

[Rose]

The Police Station

"I'll take it from here, boys."

The officers who had her in custody protested. She had assaulted an officer, they said.

<< Rose didn't seem to be interested in what was going on around her, and truth was, she WASN'T!>>

"Miss Rose is a key witness in an ongoing investigation - I need to speak to her immediately. And last I checked, I outranked you."

He stepped forward towards them, making sure he stood to his full height.

"Do we have a problem, patrolmen?"

<< She was aware of Steel's presence. She could have FREED herself from these...elementary handcuffs at anytime, but she was BUSY, using her power to maintain an active psi-link to Jake, doing her best to calm him and his soul, to keep him as psychically stable as she could, even as she herself was slipping UP the spectrum of her power, from purple...to WHITE.>>

The officer said, "No, sir" in unison. Steel gently took Rose by the arm, escorting her away and deeper into the building.

"We'll take her to my office."

He whispered to Ashley, who nodded, scowling at anyone who started looking at them curiously. Steel opened the door to his office, and let Rose and Ashley enter, before coming inside himself and shutting and locking the door.

<< She was fine to let him escort her. She needed every moment.>>

"Ash, take those cuffs off her."

He turned to Rose.

"Rose, are you alright? Please have a seat."

He motioned to the couch he kept in his office.

<< Steel and Valkyrie hear this odd sound...like the ambience of ocean waves, it's part of Rose's power signature. They also notice her purple hair flowing, despite their being no wind.>>

He's in pain...

<< she said, as she opens her eyes to look at Steel for a moment, and then seat herself.>>

...he's terrified, and he's in pain.

I'm trying my best to calm him, soothe his soul...but we'd only JUST begin his therapy, before Dennis Nedry showed up with two men. He molested me, and had his officers rip Jake from my arms, hurting him in the process.

They paid NO HEED to my warning that he'd just been discharged from the hospital.

<< she looks at Steel, placing a hand on her temple>>

The longer we wait...the further they carry him, the more he becomes..."obsecured"...

<< Rose can see it more clearly now>>

By a WOMAN who bends reality to her will (the red queen).

But WHERE is Alycia!? I NEED her assistance! Nedry plans to initial separation proceedings TODAY!

<< She stands up, now becoming more agitated, and that ambience of her power begins to grow louder>>

Nedry...and his FALSE documents!

<< the papers declaring that Rose's children were being abused.>>

Alycia was supposed to STOP him.

WHERE IS SHE!?

 

[Steel]

Precinct 19

Rose seemed to just go through the motions, not really registering what was happening around her. When they arrived at his office, she did sit, and finally spoke to them.

He's in pain...he's terrified, and he's in pain.

I'm trying my best to calm him, soothe his soul...but we'd only JUST begin his therapy, before Dennis Nedry showed up with two men. He molested me, and had his officers rip Jake from my arms, hurting him in the process. They paid NO HEED to my warning that he'd just been discharged from the hospital. The longer we wait...the further they carry him, the more he becomes..."obscured"...

He tried to be calming, reassuring.

"Our team will find him, Rose. They'll get him to safety, I promise you."

He kept hearing a sound, oddly soothing, and it took him a while to realize it was coming from her. He took a long look at Rose, and noticed that her hair moved. Even though they were inside. His eyes flicked to Ashley, wondering if she was seeing it too.

But WHERE is Alycia!? I NEED her assistance! Nedry plans to initial separation proceedings TODAY!

He put up his hands in a soothing gesture.

"Zizi and Isis went to get her - I'm sure she'll be here soon. Would you like me to call that other lawyer Alycia mentioned..."

He searched for the name but came up empty.

"The one from Clandestine?"

Rose had risen to her feet, getting more and more agitated.

Alycia was supposed to STOP him. WHERE IS SHE!?

"She'll be here, please, just sit down. You can't help Jake if you don't stay calm."

He needed to go out and see about Rose's situation, try to get Rose released, but he was hesitant to leave Ashley alone with her. After some internal deliberation, he decided to do a quick check, at least to find out who these officers were.

"I'll be right back. I need to see what's going on out there."

 

[Valkyrie]

Precinct 19

Ashley got ready to back Steel up with these low grade meter maids. It disappointed her just a little bit that all she had to do was sit back and watch John. She gave him credit: when he wanted to be imposing, he was damn imposing. They hustled Rose to Steel's office, trying to keep her as out of sight as possible. Anyone who even looked like they were about to question them, got an eye full of her angry face.

Steel told her to get the cuffs off of Rose and she did it, hooking them onto her belt. He then asked Rose if she was okay, and Ashley stole a glance at her. She looked like Sigourney Weaver in GhostBusters: her hair was flowing even though there wasn't a fan in sight. And there was an odd reverberating sound too, which Ash knew was NOT normal. John glanced at her, and she knew he'd seen it too. Something was for fuck sure up.

Rose told them about Jake's deteriorating state, and kept asking where Alycia was. Where indeed? Zizi & Isis had had to go find her? Why wasn't her com in? Why was her phone off? Steel tried to reassure Rose, but Ashley could tell it wasn't working very well. She was getting more and more upset, which didn't seem like a great thing to have happen, especially considering where they were AND what John had just done.

And he left her alone with Rose. Stuck with the crazy lady, great. Though there was one thing she and Rose had to discuss.

She leaned back against the edge of John's desk, facing Rose, studying her condition, weighing the options. But she might not get another chance, so she decided to go for it.

"So...Rose. You know, Zach's an empath...he could really help Jake with the things he's feeling...don't you think?"

 

[Isis]

Abandonned Mystech Site- The Cell

<< This place is one of significance. It is where Sharon Kelly and Alycia Barnett had been taken after they were kidnapped by the mutant Pipeline, held hostage, and tortured by Rick Riley. Riley, one of the last scientific investors from the "old guard". But his greed, and creativity was matched only by his choatic desperation.>>

<< a slow "first person" movement through the dark halls of the long abandoned laboratory.>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Rapid fire images...memories of previous events. Rick physically attacking Alycia, breaking her arm. Rick on top of Sharon, about to sexually assault her, as Alycia tries to pull him off of her.>>

<< we reach the central space in the lab, and the long inactive stasis tube that once housed THE SILVER SWAN. Yes, The CELL was where Sharon Kelly was brought back to life, and mutated into the powerful, the vengeful Silver Swan!>>

<<FLASH!>>

<< Images of the Silver Swan, as she first floated inside the stasis tube, and the moment she first opened her silver eyes....and unleashed her SONIC SCREAM, freeing herself!>>

<< She exploded out of the tube, and killed everyone in the lab, save Riley, who managed to escape, and set her on her path of mad violence and vengeance against Black Widow, the Six, and the CITY.>>

<<This place represents the moment in life where Sharon and Alycia's lives changed course...forever.>>

<< In the darkened halls, these walls, with their terrible secrets....it seems that the power of this place has long faded, much like Mystech. But in the heart of the facility....we find a glowing light...and inside that lab, we find, Alycia, and Sharon.>>

<< This is no place for anyone, but Alycia and Sharon aren't just ANYONE. They're ALSO not the women they were when they were brought here against their will all these years ago.

:: Alycia sits at the main computer, which is powered now by a shard of her divine lightning, allowing her to tap into and search a massive data base, think of it as a "back door" into a file archive belonging to Mystech. Sharon stands watch...::

:: A golden orb zooms into view, and circles around the lab::

Sharon: ALYCIA!

:: The mutate recognized the golden power signature::

Sharon: Isis has found us!

:: the glowing, sparking golden orb centers, and grows in size, and finally, in a flash of light, Isis and Oracle are here. For Oracle, "The Cell" was almost an "urban legend." One of SEVERAL related to Mystech that she hadn't seen with her own two eyes. But now, courtesy of Isis' magick, they were HERE. Of course, there was a TREMENDOUS opportunity to gather data and other information that had sat in plain sight, yet "never seen" for years now, but at the moment, what she and Isis sought, was Alycia herself.::


Sharon: Why are you two here? You had NO RIGHT to follow us here!

:: And Sharon...well...this was the place of her SECOND COMING!::

:: She stood sentry, as Alycia sat at the computer, looking VERY intense, VERY unhappy. She was not yet aware of what was happening.::

:: In case Oracle had not been fully aware, Isis had managed to brief her on the Cell, and it's significance in Mystech history, AND to these two women. ::

:: Isis stepped forward, with her hands up in a placating gesture::

Be a peace, Sharon. We are your ALLIES, as we were last night, and before that.

We're here, because...

:: She looked past Sharon. to see Alycia, who had not yet turned around to face them::

....

Isis: Alycia, there's an emergency. Rose has been arrested, and Jake was taken from her. They need you, immediately. My magicks will take us...

Alycia: GO away.

:: Isis was not expecting this. Alycia's voice was shaken. She'd been crying!::

Isis: Alycia....

Alycia: I SAID GET OUT!

:: Sharon stepped forward::

 

[Matrix]

So, I can turn into anything I can think of. Except someone adept at changing diapers. I got it done somehow and I only got shit in one hand, swore in front of one toddler directly and had two kids wander off with me retrieving them. But now I got it all under control rocking the babies under a sun umbrella while I chased the toddlers around. Somehow kids love that shit! But the com was real quiet. It made no sense. Now that things were settled a little, I called some backup. Danny was first.

Danny: Hello?

Look, you don't really know me but I know that you are close to Rose. My name is Richard Martin and I am with the Birds of Prey. Rose has been arrested and Jake was taken into custody this morning. Three of us are here to watch the remaining kids and I was asked to contact you to help.

And on to the next one.

Unknown lady: Thank you for calling-

Put Simon on the phone please. This is an emergency. Thank you.

Unknown lady: Transferring you now.

Simon: Hello?

Simon, this is Rich. Rose needs your help.

Simon: I'll be right there.

Two down, and the redheaded kid just made another break for it. It was cute. I might swing through again after this is over and chase them again.

 

[Artemis]

The Cell

:: Alycia turned around, and Isis and Oracle could see her tear streaked face::

WHY are you here!?

We're here, because...

:: She looked past Sharon. to see Alycia, who had not yet turned around to face them::

....

Isis: Alycia, there's an emergency. Rose has been arrested, and Jake was taken from her. They need you, immediately. My magicks will take us...

:: Alycia didn't believe her. This was some kind of sick joke, much like her misconstrued friendship with Zach and everything ELSE regarding the Birds of Prey::

Just GO away!

Isis: Alycia.

I SAID GET OUT!

Sharon: Neither one of you calls the shots here. NOT HERE!

:: Sharon stepped forward::

Alycia: I DON'T CARE what EITHER Of you have to say! You're all so self absorbed!

:: she screamed as she looked at Oracle::

YOU. I tried to help you and you DISMISSED ME.

Just like EVERYONE else in that god awful clock tower. You wouldn't even BE where you are if it wasn't for me!

You all think you know SO MUCH, and have ALL the answers. We've been in crisis for 72 HOURS, we've taken MAJOR hits, and suffered near FATALITIES!

I ALMOST DIED trying to help that BASTARD, ZACH...and we're NO SAFER NOW than we were then...but ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN DO is PLAY HOUSE, and LAY UP UNDER EACH OTHER...while I!?

:: she clutches at her chest::

I've tried SO HARD!

And I've FAILED!

I'm SO TIRED of watching people get away with, GET REWARDED FOR BAD BEHAVIOR, and then I get told to "let it go" or "it's not like that" or some other BULLSHIT ATTEMPT AT GATE KEEPING!

I'm TIRED OF IT!

I NEVER SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO CAMERON, OR ANYONE ELSE! You're all a bunch of LYING FRAUDS!

:: she screamed as she kicked over a chair. She was tired of all of them. How self absorbed and SELFISH they were, wasting time, second guessing her, not believing her, trying to push her to the back. She was SICK OF ALL OF IT and she was seeing RED now.::

 

[Oracle]

The Cell

Isis transported them, informing Zizi about where they were going on the way. The arrived at the Cell to find Alycia AND Sharon. That was good, Sharon could help.

"Well done, Isis."

But they were NOT greeted by friends.

Why are you two here? You had NO RIGHT to follow us here!

"Sharon?"

This was not the person who had returned to them, helped them transport Jake to the Sanctuary.

Be a peace, Sharon. We are your ALLIES, as we were last night, and before that.

We're here, because...Alycia, there's an emergency. Rose has been arrested, and Jake was taken from her. They need you, immediately. My magicks will take us...

GO away.

Alycia...

"Didn't you hear her? Dennis Nedry has Jake. Rose is in jail. He's filing to take ALL the children away from her."

I SAID GET OUT!

This was not the Alycia she knew.

Neither one of you calls the shots here. NOT HERE!

"Since when is this about 'calling the shots'?"

She looked from Sharon to Alycia.

"What is going on here? What is wrong? Talk to us."

I DON'T CARE what EITHER Of you have to say! You're all so self absorbed!

Zizi drew back, shocked at Alycia's words.

YOU. I tried to help you and you DISMISSED ME. Just like EVERYONE else in that god awful clock tower. You wouldn't even BE where you are if it wasn't for me!

Alycia's statement was like a slap in the face. She had never EVER thrown what she had done in Zizi's face like that. Not once. Until now.

"I...I just needed some time. I was embarrassed, to have you see me like that. You couldn't help me, Alycia, not then. But you can help Rose now!"

You all think you know SO MUCH, and have ALL the answers. We've been in crisis for 72 HOURS, we've taken MAJOR hits, and suffered near FATALITIES!

"And DESPITE our differences we had a plan, we were going to work together. We were going to take down Nedry..."

I ALMOST DIED trying to help that BASTARD, ZACH...and we're NO SAFER NOW than we were then...but ALL YOU PEOPLE CAN DO is PLAY HOUSE, and LAY UP UNDER EACH OTHER...while I!? I've tried SO HARD! And I've FAILED!

"But you've NOT failed Alycia!"

She held up the flash drive in her hand.

"We have the info on Nedry. You can shut him down!"

I'm SO TIRED of watching people get away with, GET REWARDED FOR BAD BEHAVIOR, and then I get told to "let it go" or "it's not like that" or some other BULLSHIT ATTEMPT AT GATE KEEPING! I'm TIRED OF IT! I NEVER SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO CAMERON, OR ANYONE ELSE! You're all a bunch of LYING FRAUDS!

Alycia kicked over a chair, and Zizi's mouth dropped open. Alycia was in pain, and needed their help. Rose would have to wait. She wheeled forward towards her friend, not flinching in the face of what Sharon might be prepared to do to keep her away. Her voice was firm.

"Alycia. Neither Dominique nor I have ever lied to you. We are your friends. I am sorry if you aren't feeling that way right now. Let us help you. Let's talk about it. Whatever you need, Alycia. We're here."

 

[Rose]

Steel's office

He put up his hands in a soothing gesture.

"Zizi and Isis went to get her - I'm sure she'll be here soon. Would you like me to call that other lawyer Alycia mentioned..."

He searched for the name but came up empty.

"The one from Clandestine?"

Rose had risen to her feet, getting more and more agitated.

NO.

<< and as she said this, her voice reveberated>>

I FIRED Clandestine Inc, and Alycia exercised the Sentinel event clause to DISSOLVE that contract.

There is NO relationship between myself and Clandestine Inc, Detective.

"She'll be here, please, just sit down. You can't help Jake if you don't stay calm."

He needed to go out and see about Rose's situation, try to get Rose released, but he was hesitant to leave Ashley alone with her. After some internal deliberation, he decided to do a quick check, at least to find out who these officers were.

"I'll be right back. I need to see what's going on out there."

<< SHE could leave at anytime, faster than anyone of them could react, but they'd SEPERATED her from Rae, and right now, these two were the only..."familiar faces" she had! She KNEW "the state" was without a soul, and did NOT help those who were the most marginalized. Whatever time and effort she exerted in MOWING DOWN anyone who tried to stop her from leaving, that would take concentration, and resources away from JAKE. Steel was right.>>

<< She seated herself once more...and calmed, she resumed "reaching out" to Jake. Soon, the only path she'd have to him would be via the astral plane, because now, someone was doing HER best to obscure him from physical reach.>>

She leaned back against the edge of John's desk, facing Rose, studying her condition, weighing the options. But she might not get another chance, so she decided to go for it.

"So...Rose. You know, Zach's an empath...he could really help Jake with the things he's feeling...don't you think?"

<< She didn't immediately respond. She seemed to be centering herself. Her eyes were closed, and there was a glow around her.>>

Jake....remember the story I told you of the star, and how the twinkling star speaks of your future. Rae and I ensured that you would live on, and shine brightly. Do not lose sight of me...my SOUL SELF , even as we experience this BRIEF period of uncertainty. Hold on to the soul satellite that I made for you, to protect your dreams....

<< Jake's cries were AGONY to Rose...but she was helping him now, calming him as best she could. Soon, he began to settle, and he "held on" to her voice, seeing her in his "mind's eye" just as she'd taught him.>>

<< She opened her eyes and looked at Valkyrie.>>

I know all about Zach Armani.

<< She said calmly.>>

I've known him longer than you, I encountered him on multiple occassions, before Sharon and Alycia formally introduced me to him.

I helped him...during the Inferno. We saved Jake from demons that had just killed his parents and were trying to sacrifice him, and thirteen other mutant babies to bridge the doorway from Limbo to Earth.

He was such a passionate, thoughtful, GENUINE soul....

I never had reason to question Zach...until I gave him a reading...and a warning.

One that he did NOT take seriously.

<< She looked at Valkyrie. She could see THROUGH Valkyrie just as easily as she had Cobra and Black Widow. >>

You wouldn't believe me either. You think I'm insane. Just like he does.

<< she looks away>>

But it doesn't matter, not anymore.

He became so NEGLECTFUL, even before Black Widow showed her TRUE COLORS.

Jake hadn't seen him in months.

I had not heard from him in months.

<< She paused for a moment, and changed course. >>

Valkyrie, how far would you go to avenge an innocent you cared about after he or she was cruelly cut down?

 

[Isis]

The Cell

:: It was WORSE than she dared imagine.::

CAMERON KING, you ignorant LOUT!

:: But as she screamed at Oracle, Isis kept her eye on Sharon. The two AMAZONS were EXTREMELY protective of one another, and here they were, in a place where some of the history that EXPLAINED the protective behavior was quite apparent.::

:: She moved herself, slowly, with no sudden or agressive posture, to make sure she could check Sharon, SHOULD she try to physically keep Zizi away from Alycia.::

Sharon, please...I KNOW how you feel about others in the clocktower, but WE are not them....and we were on the CUSP of UNITING.

Let's...WORK TOWARD that.

Rose and her children NEED that from us.

You and I have something in common...our special empathy for these children, the weak, those in need. Rose is trouble, and Jake is in DANGER. Who BETTER to come to their aid, and STOP this man in his tracks, than US, with Alycia leading the charge?

Alycia was on the right path...

:: Dominique glanced at Zizi who was approaching Alycia::

...we talked about the terrible set back she had last night...but...speaking from personal experience...there is no harm....there is NO SHAME in taking time to regroup, and coming back with REINFORCEMENTS.

:: She thought about how SHE felt when she seemed to be permanently ONE STEP BEHIND the Purifiers, always TOO late to save the victims, only being able to AVENGE them, and THEN to find out that their enabler was someone in the HELLFIRE CLUB!? She KNEW how FURIOUS Alycia was...not only with the situation, but at herself, but it wasn't her fault, and they HAD to snap her out of this. All the pain, the anguish, everything that had lead up to this moment...it was so HEAVY, that it drove her and Sharon BACK to THIS awful place!? ::

...Sharon, do not shut us out.

We're here to help...but time is running out!

"And DESPITE our differences we had a plan, we were going to work together. We were going to take down Nedry..."

"But you've NOT failed Alycia!"

She held up the flash drive in her hand.

"We have the info on Nedry. You can shut him down!"

:: Isis had successfully engaged Sharon. Would Zizi be able to reach Alycia?::

 

[Cypher]

Zach: "Jam Third up as well, don't give him an escape route. We'll drop in."

Gabe nodded, the traffic lights on 3rd turning red while two more 'zombie' cars rear end each other in the middle of that intersection as well. The digital map showed blinking 'X' marks along all major pathways to Hellfire Club.

"Okay, 3rd's blocked."

Gabe opened up another window with arial footage of Nedry's car and the surrounding five block radius courtesy of Nicolas King's satellite that he had given Zizi. She may not have wanted to accept it, but Gabe decided today was the day to take it out for a test drive. The images were 4K quality and exactly what he needed.

"I give it ten minutes before police arrive."

With all the accidents Gabe had created, as well as the 'faulty' traffic lights, the police were tied up on 3rd and 4th street. It opened Zach and Clandestine a window of time before they got to 5th street where Nedry was.

Zach: "Gabriel..."

Gabe looked over his shoulder.

Zach: "Thanks."

Gabe nodded, appreciating his gratitude.

"Get that kid outta there."

And with that, Zach disappeared. Gabe turned back around to the monitors, his eyes flicking from one image to another: Nedry, the surrounding streets, the outside of Hellfire Club, The Sanctuary, the underground safe house, the police station. EVERYTHING was up on the massive monitor for Gabe to cipher through and make sure he was there to back anyone up who needed it.

 

[Artemis]

The Cell

:: what was she thinking, when she left the clocktower in that moment somewhere between night and dawn?::

:: She'd come back here SEVERAL times since she returned to "man's world."...it was an odd thing...but she felt drawn to this place. So did Sharon.::

:: Their lives were changed here, and for Alycia, even before the events at Arklay Mansion, this was the place where she'd been made to feel most vulnerable, most IN DANGER. Perhaps THAT was when she was drawn here in this hour of darkness.::

:: Sharon followed her and the two of them silently stalked the halls of this place, they had no need to think...they knew where to go once inside. It was just like "Frost" at the Citadle!::

:: Once they were in the central lab, the place of Sharon's home coming, Alycia slumped down into the chair at the computer console.::

:: The technology was dated, but surprisingly well preserved.::

:: Some time passed, with Sharon trying to talk to Alycia, and then, just offering her silent support, standing watch in case there were any bio hazards lurking here. Sharon herself was also effected by being here....as Isis and Oracle would see first hand then they came upon them.::

:: Alycia ignored Isis at first, but when the sorceress persisted, and Alycia turned from the large computer screen, that showed images of her from her former life, as the ADA and then the Special Federal Agent. These images were flashing, mixed in with flashing images of the different men she'd taken down. ::

:: Alycia had been crying. She wanted to pull this grief...this chaotic feeling OUT of herself, and she couldn't do it at the clock tower, but it ran deeper than she thought.::

:: She SCREAMED at Isis and Oracle. The ugliness in her heart was coming out in force. She kicked a chair away and screamed some more::

"I...I just needed some time. I was embarrassed, to have you see me like that. You couldn't help me, Alycia, not then. But you can help Rose now!"

"And DESPITE our differences we had a plan, we were going to work together. We were going to take down Nedry..."

"But you've NOT failed Alycia!"

She held up the flash drive in her hand.

"We have the info on Nedry. You can shut him down!"

:: Alycia paused for a moment and she looked at Zizi. For a moment, she looked HORRIFIED that she had just screamed at Zizi like this. And then...::

I...was embarrassed too.

:: She said in a quiet, pained tone::

I let Cameron get the drop on me.

And all the while...After years of a wonderful personal and professional relationship, having experienced things you COULDN'T MAKE UP, and SURVIVING together, I got sloppy....and I let myself develop...FEELINGS for ZACH.

:: She felt so RIDICULOUS to say it now::

I thought that WE would be there for each other...when the DARKNESS of Cameron and Haleigh closed around us.

HE was smart. HE got away from her [Haleigh] before it was too late!

I was the idiot, and I had no warning...I didn't know what was happening in that moment, and I got the rug pulled out from under me.

I'm HUMILIATED!

:: she threw her arms up, and turned away from Oracle::

And NO ONE has paid for it!

:: she turns back and looks at Oracle::

"NO REGRETS!"

:: she bitterly MOCKS Cameron with an exaggerated tone and facial expression. she moves past Oracle, weilds a large metal pipe::

NO.

:: slamming the pipe down on the large exam table::

REGRETS!

:: with splendid form, she swings the pipe again, and hits the exam table, KNOCKING IT OFF its foundation and sending it across the room. she drops the pipe on the floor, and paces back and forth a bit::

We should've LISTENED to Sharon and DISPATCHED Black Widow.

:: she shouted with VENOM::

She's a ROTTEN, VILE, DISGUSTING CREATURE. She's BARELY HUMAN! SHE DESERVES NOTHING BUT RETRIBUTION.

:: She flailed her arms::

And BEFORE I DRAW MY LAST BREATH, SHE AND CAMERON WILL PAY!

Sharon: She and Ava BOTH deserve to have their heads CAVED IN! They nearly KILLED Alycia and Zach! You know...it' incredibly funny, Haleigh got upset with Zach over his relationship with ME, which PRE DATED HER, but she thought NOTHING of doing what she did with Cameron, she didn't CARE that he was with Alycia. She didn't care about anyone but HERSELF.

:: she picked up a chair and sat down on it in front of Zizi, burying her face in her hands::

I dropped the ball with Rose.

:: she said with regret::

My meeting last night was a COMPLETE FAILURE.

That FAT PERVERT Dennis Nedry...I've skewered men more insulated than HIM before!

It shouldn't be THIS HARD!

:: She lowered her hands, which was now balled in a fist::


And DAMMIT, I'm TIRED of people getting away with BAD behavior, getting REWARDED for it!

:: There so many on her list::

I'm TIRED of working twice as hard, and adhering to a high standard, only to watch people around me SAIL through life doing ANYTHING they want, and thinking they have no responsibility, fully not expecting to have to answer for what they did. I'm TIRED OF IT!

I WANT JUSTICE!

REVENGE!

..speaking from personal experience...there is no harm....there is NO SHAME in taking time to regroup, and coming back with REINFORCEMENTS.

We're here to help...but time is running out!

:: she shakes her head::

I wish I hadn't screamed at you like that, Zizi.

I'm a mess.

And yes...I was resentful toward you, and even more so toward Zach, which is why I've been punishing him.

You didn't deserve that from me.

I'm sorry.

 

[Enchantrah]

Helena sat in the catacombs surrounded by floating monitors, her feet adorned with red spike Louboutin heels and propped up on the large conference style desk, crossed at the ankle. Her sapphire eyes watched as everything unfolded exactly as planned. Nedry harassing Rose, taking Jake, then Rose being arrested. Helena grinned with delight as Jake was loaded into the Audi and sped off, leaving The Sanctuary.

But that would be too easy.

"Lets see your hacker detect this..."

The Audi carrying Jake seemingly DISAPPEARED, all sight and perception of the vehicle AND Jake were gone. In it's place was a FAKE Audi--an optical illusion--of the car, Jake, and Nedry's men. The ACTUALLY car holding Jake turned down 6th street and headed to the courthouse while the 'fake' proceeded down 5th towards Hellfire Club.

"Your move little boy."

The fake pulled up to the intersection of 5th street before everything within a five block radius began to go crazy. Traffic lights faltering, cars getting into accidents, traffic jams, you name it.

"How cute."

Helena purred as the fake car was at a standstill in the middle of the street. Helena's illusion made it so undeniable and believable that NO ONE would be able to tell that she was simply casting an illusion half way across the city from Hellfire. Camera's, scans, even the satellite images that were being sent to Cypher wouldn't be able to detect any sort of anomaly. Orion and Clandestine were headed straight for a TRAP--a WEB with one poisonous little Widow itching to take a BITE.

The chopper could be seen arriving, Helena pressed her com link to Persephone and Scion.

>> "Blind them. Then take them OUT."

Helena watched with wicked glee as a dense cloud of FOG surrounded the chopper unnaturally like a cocoon, creating the perfect opening for Scion to strike.

She opened another com link as she watched on another monitor the REAL Audi carrying Jake approach the courthouse.

>> "Standby, Mystique."

 

[Persephone]

Persephone stood watching from the rooftop of a twenty story building, overlooking the chaotic streets below. It seemed that Gabe had fit right in with the Birds.

I should have killed you yesterday.

He was now more of a problem than he was worth....Persephone would soon take care of THAT loose end.

The wind whipped through her curled chocolate locks as she lifted her midnight eyes to the sound of a chopper approaching from afar. Helena had called on her and Haleigh as backup, knowing the the Birds of Prey and Clandestine would be gunning for Nedry as the last piece of Helena's plan was set into motion. Persephone watched as the chopper got closer to where the decoy car was.

Helena>> Blind them. Then take them OUT.

She heard via com link. Persephone's midnight eyes turned black as she stared unforgivingly at the chopper which now hovered over the decoy car. Dense FOG began to materialize around it, cocooning it in a THICK white MASS. The surrounding skies began to fill with that same dense fog, completely BLOCKING the sunlight and creating an ominous dark shadow over the ENTIRE city of New York.

Persephone lifted her chin as she peered down at the city streets below; the fog swirling around her body and visually MASKING her. Haleigh was somewhere...hidden as well.

>>Done.

She relayed over the com link to both Helena and Haleigh.

 

[Oracle]

The Cell

Zizi could see the emotional turmoil, the rollercoaster that Alycia was going through as she sat there, watching her.

I...was embarrassed too. I let Cameron get the drop on me.

Zizi's face was sympathetic, as she tilted her head.

"Alycia...it wasn't a fight. You cared about him, and he betrayed you. That's not your weakness, that's his."

And all the while...After years of a wonderful personal and professional relationship, having experienced things you COULDN'T MAKE UP, and SURVIVING together, I got sloppy....and I let myself develop...FEELINGS for ZACH.

Oh, fudge.

Zizi kept her face blank, but internally her eyes were bulging and she was taking in a deep breath. Zach?! Did he know? This could be bad, very bad. She did take a steadying breath then.

"I thought that WE would be there for each other...when the DARKNESS of Cameron and Haleigh closed around us. HE was smart. HE got away from her [Haleigh] before it was too late! I was the idiot, and I had no warning...I didn't know what was happening in that moment, and I got the rug pulled out from under me. I'm HUMILIATED!

She moved forward.

"No, honey, no, you're not. You're one of the smartest women I know. You said it yourself - you had no warning. You couldn't have known what was going to happen. And Zach WILL be there for you - he cares very much about you and your friendship."

She reached out to touch Alycia's arm but she turned away from her and Zizi put her hand back on the arm of her chair.

And NO ONE has paid for it! "NO REGRETS!" NO. REGRETS!

Zizi sat stock still as Alycia moved past her and began to hit an exam table with a pipe. She didn't say anything, letting Alycia get her anger out, as she yelled. Finally Alycia sat in front of her.

I dropped the ball with Rose. My meeting last night was a COMPLETE FAILURE.

Zizi touched Alycia gently on the knee then.

"But Alycia, that was ONE MEETING. You have so many other people working for you, who want to help you."

She held up the flash drive again.

"Gabe only met you two days ago and he knows what kind of person you are, will do whatever he can for you. He's found so much on Nedry already."

"And DAMMIT, I'm TIRED of people getting away with BAD behavior, getting REWARDED for it! I'm TIRED of working twice as hard, and adhering to a high standard, only to watch people around me SAIL through life doing ANYTHING they want, and thinking they have no responsibility, fully not expecting to have to answer for what they did. I'm TIRED OF IT! I WANT JUSTICE!

"Alycia, you can't control what other people do. What YOU do make you YOU. It's not for nothing."

"I wish I hadn't screamed at you like that, Zizi. I'm a mess. And yes...I was resentful toward you, and even more so toward Zach, which is why I've been punishing him. You didn't deserve that from me. I'm sorry.

"Pssh."

Zizi reached to hug Alycia.

"There's no need to be sorry. We've both been having a bad couple days. But mine got better, and yours will too. And I'm here for you, the way you were for me."

She looked into Alycia's eyes.

"And let Zach be your friend."

 

[Black Widow]

Manhattan -- 8 Spruce Street

Just as she'd been given another shot at Bishop/Delilah, Haleigh was ordered to redeem her failure to kidnap Jake. She hadn't been instructed to kidnap him this time, though. They were doing this a sneakier way, which made Haleigh wonder why the FUCK she'd been made to strike the Sanctuary in the first place. Oh, right. To prove she was worthy of Hellfire, because it wasn't that easy; you don't simply walk in and get handed your tiara, Princess. AND to twist the knife of 'ownership', driving the point deeper, that Scion belonged to Malice now, and would do as she was told, or suffer the consequences. AND to drive Rose a little crazier than before, so the stage would be set for a move like this, and they could get more than just ONE kid -- they could get ALL of them.

Her eyes tracked the helicopter as it zoomed above the skyline. The Active Camouflage Shield was very effective, she could BARELY see the shimmer of movement in the air. It wasn't possible to hide a machine from Haleigh, though. She smirked, and the ACS of the aircraft became suddenly inoperative. The chopper came into plain view. A few seconds later, a thick fog rolled in and overtook the aircraft. That was her sister's doing, she knew.

Now they were blinded. Haleigh's turn.

She was up on the rooftop of Beekman Tower. She was enveloped in the fog too, she couldn't see the chopper anymore, but she could sense it there, settling into a hover above the car, starting to a descent into position. She took control of it immediately, and guided it up and away from the decoy car. The pilots must be trying to regain control, because the chopper swayed a bit, but Haleigh won that battle. She shut off their flight deck displays, turning their screens black, and after that there was no more fight.

She pulled it through the air, towards her position, until it was close enough for her to feel the downwash of the propeller disc. As she brought it down to the helipad she stood on, it came into full view. She set it down in the center of the pad, and watched a door gunner swivel his 50 caliber gatling gun to aim at her.

"Don't do anything stupid."

She said, her voice in their helmet comms. The gunner held his fire, and his aim. Behind him in the chopper, a figure rose from a kneeling position. He pulled off his helmet. It was Zach. For a moment, they just stared at each other, as the helicopter's engines spooled down and shut off. His outraged shout broke the new silence.

Zach: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING, HALEIGH?!

Whatever I HAVE to....

She thought grimly. Her voice rang out, cold and carefree.

"Sorry, but Jake's got a court date he can't miss!"

She replied with a smirk, and then she was gone, before he could reply.

 

[Valkyrie]

Precinct 19 - Steel's Office

Rose didn't answer her, she just sat there.

Okay, crazypants.

She sat there, watching Rose, wishing Steel would get the hell back here. Then, Rose surprisingly spoke up.

I know all about Zach Armani. I've known him longer than you, I encountered him on multiple occasions, before Sharon and Alycia formally introduced me to him. I helped him...during the Inferno. We saved Jake from demons that had just killed his parents and were trying to sacrifice him, and thirteen other mutant babies to bridge the doorway from Limbo to Earth. He was such a passionate, thoughtful, GENUINE soul....

"Still is."

She hadn't known that, about how Zach had met Jake. Killing demons and saving babies. Yup, sounded like Zach.

I never had reason to question Zach...until I gave him a reading...and a warning. One that he did NOT take seriously.

She looked at Rose evenly.

"Sometimes Zach cares too much for his own good, but he does care. About that boy, about you, and your children."

You wouldn't believe me either. You think I'm insane. Just like he does.

"Zach doesn't understand why you would keep someone away who could help."

But yes, I do think you're crazier than a bag of cats.

But it doesn't matter, not anymore. He became so NEGLECTFUL, even before Black Widow showed her TRUE COLORS. Jake hadn't seen him in months. I had not heard from him in months.

"I'm sure there was a damn good reason. But he's here NOW. Isn't that what's important?"

Valkyrie, how far would you go to avenge an innocent you cared about after he or she was cruelly cut down?

She thought about that for a moment. If someone killed Zizi. If someone killed Zach.

She leaned forward and looked Rose dead in the eye, responding with icy certainty.

"No place would make them safe from my vengeance."