The Wrath of Rose

[Cypher]

Zizi: "We?"

Gabe realized he was talking so casually about looking at penthouse offices with Zizi that it didn't dawn on him that maybe it was a little strange to her.

"Yeah...I mean, only if you want that is."

He smiled.

"I need a female perspective."

He offered with a nod. His office right now was pretty cool, but damn did it lack a certain....coziness? He hoped she could help with that. Make it a little more like a home away from home type of place. The conversation went on to Zizi needing to head back to the Clocktower for work. He told her the food would be there soon enough and that she could take it to go. He didn't want to keep her away from her work, especially when Alycia needed her expertise.

Zizi: "I think I have time to eat before I go."

Her hand went to his, ZIzi gently tracing a patter on his skin with her thumb. He gave her a smile.

"It's okay. We'll have more breakfasts together in the future, kid."

But the conversation became a little more serious when Zizi told him that she wouldn't be sneaking him into the clocktower and that he was welcomed. He gave her a half smile.

Zizi: "Well, I think we snuck in and out of each other's rooms enough in high school to last a lifetime."

That made Gabe laugh, an 'ouch' expression appearing on his face.

"Your dad haaaaated me back then. Jesus Christ, that one time when you spilled grape soda down your shirt and he walked in on you changing with me there. I swear I saw him draw his gun."

Gabe said with a laugh. Yeah, Mr. York wasn't his fan during their teenage years. He blamed it on the hormones. But despite the funny memory, Gabe' face became a little more serious as he offered to go back with her and help, despite if Zach started shit.

Zizi: "If Zach starts something, I'll finish it."

"Damn, Liz."

He said with raised brows, slightly taken aback by her forcefulness....and turned on at the same time.

Zizi: "I don't want you to do anything you don't want to. It's not fair of me to put you in that position."

"You're not putting me in any position. I want to help. The faster we get this info....the faster we get to leave the Clocktower...[grinning] See...see what I did there?"

He joked, trying to lighten the mood.

"But really, i'm gonna have to go back there eventually--it IS your home. Might as well do it now, right?"

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Ashley's Room

He couldn't lie, everything was NOT okay. Some things were downright disastrous. He tried to look at the bright side, but his life was all kinds of dim. The ONLY good thing he had going lately, was this relationship with her. He knew his mood could be easily 'contagious'. That could be a good thing, or a bad thing. It all hung on how well he managed his own emotions.

He didn't want to depress her, or himself, by focusing on things he couldn't change right now. He brought up something they'd talked about before, an activity that was guaranteed to be fun and distracting. He slurped the rest of the milk from his cereal bowl, and was surprised to feel her mounting his lap. He lowered his empty bowl from his lips, and set it on the tray, as her hands landed on his shoulders.

They locked eyes, and she leaned in to kiss him. His hands went to her body as if they were magnetically drawn. She whispered to him, and he found it incredibly sexy. But then, he found just about everything she did incredibly sexy. He wondered if she was about to request something that rhymed with 'clock.' That was also an activity guaranteed to be fun and distracting.

Ashley: I'm here, you know, if you want to talk.

"I know.... I do. And I appreciate it, my love. But if I talk about it? I'll be all broody and angry, and then we'll both be miserable because nothing will change."

He told her. She was quiet, biting her lip, and that was sexy too.

"OR.... we could go to the range."

Ashley: Of course we can go to the range. I've already picked out a bag of guns to take with us.

"Excellent. I was beginning to think you were procrastinating because you were worried that I'd be a better shot than you. You know, Detective.... you can handcuff one hand behind my back, if you want it to be a fair competition."

He replied with comically exaggerated arrogance.

 

[Oracle]

Gabe's Office

Gabe implicitly included her in his plans to shop for a new office. It wasn't a two storey in the suburbs, but for people like them, it might as well have been.

"Yeah...I mean, only if you want that is. I need a female perspective."

She smiled, tilting her head, flattered that he cared what she thought.

"I would love to be your female perspective."

While they waited for the food to arrive, they talked about the old days, when they lived at each others' places.

"Your dad haaaaated me back then. Jesus Christ, that one time when you spilled grape soda down your shirt and he walked in on you changing with me there. I swear I saw him draw his gun."

"Oh he reached for it alright. At least you didn't have to spend every Saturday for months volunteering at the local mother house."

Gabe offered to come back to the Clocktower with her, which she desperately wanted, but knew he didn't really want to. He talked about ignoring Zach if he started something, and she unequivocally told him she would shut it down if he did.

"Damn, Liz."

"Well...I won't have him treat you that way again. We did already talk, though, to be fair. We came to an understanding."

She expressed that she didn't want to force him to do something he didn't want to.

"You're not putting me in any position. I want to help. The faster we get this info....the faster we get to leave the Clocktower...[grinning] See...see what I did there?"

She tried unsuccessfully not to smile.

"But really, i'm gonna have to go back there eventually--it IS your home. Might as well do it now, right?"

Zizi took his hands, and gave him a quick kiss.

"I promise to do everything I can to make you comfortable there."

She looked him in the eye so he could see how seriously she was taking this.

"Also I need to get that info on Black Widow sooner or later. I'm sorry, Gabe, I know it will pain you but-

The side of her mouth curled up into a smile as she raised an eyebrow.

"We're just going to have to hack into Clandestine Intelligence."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower - Ashley's Room

Ashley was worried about Zach, and she made sure he knew she would listen if he wanted to talk about it.

"I know.... I do. And I appreciate it, my love. But if I talk about it? I'll be all broody and angry, and then we'll both be miserable because nothing will change."

She slid her arms around his neck, and pressed her body against his in a hug. She wouldn't force him to talk about it. She wanted to be there for him, but she would also be whatever he needed right then.

"OR.... we could go to the range."

THAT was an idea that excited her, and she told him so. They should definitely go today. What better way to cheer someone up?

"Excellent. I was beginning to think you were procrastinating because you were worried that I'd be a better shot than you. You know, Detective...you can handcuff one hand behind my back, if you want it to be a fair competition."

Ashley narrowed her eyes in exaggerated offense.

"Listen, Ambassador, I've used every type of gun that's ever existed. The only way this competition would be fair is if I closed both eyes and shot backwards."

She let her hands move down his chest to the waistband of his pajama bottoms, a sultry look in her eye as she leaned towards him.

"But I'm sure I could find some kind of use for those handcuffs..."

She leaned back, suddenly thinking of something.

"Oh...we'd better make sure you can attach a handcuff to my new furniture..."

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: "Oh he reached for it alright. At least you didn't have to spend every Saturday for months volunteering at the local mother house."

Gabe laughed.

"Whoops?"

He got away alive and still snuck in to her house afterwards. Mr. York was a great detective, pretty shitty at watching his own daughter's bedroom window though.

The topic went to Zach.

Zizi: "Well...I won't have him treat you that way again. We did already talk, though, to be fair. We came to an understanding."

"Oh so he admitted to being a jackass?"

He gave Zizi a crooked smile before telling her that he would go back to the Clocktower with her to help with Alycia and Nedry. He needed to get it over with anyway, might as well be now when it was all at it's worst. Zizi took his hands before kissing him. He smiled against her lips.

Zizi: "I promise to do everything I can to make you comfortable there."

"And I promise to not get into another fist fight and destroy your dining room."

But Zizi looked very serious in her promise to him, causing him to bring his hand up to her cheek and smile at her reassuringly.

"I'm sure it'll be fine...don't worry."

Zizi: "Also I need to get that info on Black Widow sooner or late. I'm sorry, Gabe, I know it will pain you but--We're just going to have to hack into Clandestine Intelligence."

Gabe's eyes instantly gleamed with joy as he gave her a toothy smile.

"OH HO HO! Do you now?"

Rubbing his hands together.

"Now THIS will be fun. See those half ass cyber fucktards scramble when I turn their mainframe into my playground."

He laughed as the doorbell rang.

Sir, it's the Porto's delivery man--Kurt.

Yeah, he ordered for Portos quite a bit.

"Thanks Falcon. Unlock door."

Gabe got up and answered the door, giving Kurt a handsome tip before turning around with a brown paper bag filled with breakfast sandwiches.

"Okay, let me get dressed and we'll head on over."

 

[Seer]

<< Emergency>>

<< Alycia's office phone rings, but there's no answer. There's no one in the above ground floors of Charope, LLC. She's not answering her personal cell either. >>

<< Alycia is not in her guest suite at the Clocktower either, and Dome is gone.>>

<< Rae tries every number she can find, and nothing. So finally, she calls her "ebony road runner," Xavier.>>

Rae: Xavier, honey? WHERE is that pretty legal eagle, Alycia?! NEDRY is back, and he's giving Rose HELL. You need to find that amazon, and get her over here, FAST.


<< And Nedry wasn't alone. Dennis Nedry had two large men with him, who appeared to be some sort of...law enforcement officers(?)>>

<< But Rose held steady, unmoved by Dennis' attempt to physically intimidate her, until he produced document indicating his authorization for an "assessment and investigation" of the sanctuary. >>

<< Without missing a beat, Rae slips away, using the secret passages to reach the Orphanage house, as Rose stands her ground. Rae will try to get the children to the underground bunker.>>

<< Rose wasn't worried about "code violations" or anything like that, there'd be none. But there was SOMETHING ELSE going on here. Nedry smiled with wicked glee, as if he were the cat that ate the canary.>>

Rose: Mr. Nedry, this makes three times now. Surely you know, I will not consent to anything you are requesting, without my attorney, Alycia Barnett present. She is on her way as we speak.

 

[Tachyon]

Of course everyone had something to say about Alycia, from fear to respect to warnings.

He drink a long drink of his beer.

"Now I've known Alycia for a good while, and she is top class. But you have to treat her right, with respect, if you don't want the wrong side of those feminum bracelets."

Indeed. She is like everyone else. She wants - deserves - to be respected. And she has been seriously disrespected. She is not simply acting out of turn.

Rich: I hear you...she reminds me of Miss D, down to that look she can give you before she gets in yo ass! Anyway...good luck to you. Do we need to have the talk? Do I need to get you....PROTECTION?

The other guys laugh uproariously and then the phone rings.

Rich: That's probably her now.

NO! See, you guys are seriously busting my balls. Hello Rae, is everything OK?

Steel knows who that is and puts a hand up for calm.

Rae: Xavier, honey? WHERE is that pretty legal eagle, Alycia?! NEDRY is back, and he's giving Rose HELL. You need to find that amazon, and get her over here, FAST.

Did she not respond to her numbers? Never mind, I will find her.

All business now, Xavier stands quickly, the signature of his power can be seen as he looks to Steel.

I need to find Alycia. Dennis Nedry is back at the Sanctuary and Rae is calling me because she was apparently out of options. Stand by while I check the route.

And with that, Xavier was gone to check the entire route and 4 blocks in each direction - every nook and cranny - for the route from the Clocktower to Charope LLC...

 

[Dennis Nedry]

<< The double doors open, and Rose stands before him, she's taller than him, looking down upon him, and her purple hair flows as she looks calm, yet cold at the same time.>>

Good morning, Mr. Nedry.

It is rather EARLY for a visit.

What can I do for you?

Dennis stared into Rose's bosom as if it's the first time he has seen one. He shakes his attention back up to her and speaks, his tone sneering as he feels confident with his two companions at his side.

What you can do is stand aside while we perform an emergency well-check and produce Jake for me.

Rose: Mr. Nedry, this makes three times now. Surely you know, I will not consent to anything you are requesting, without my attorney, Alycia Barnett present. She is on her way as we speak.

Her presence will be unnecessary for this. I have an emergency order to take Jake into my custody due to the obvious abuse he suffered that landed him in the hospital and the subsequent lack of cooperation from you culminating in an assault on my person during my last visit. These gentlemen are peace officers here to make certain that I am not attacked again and that Jake is turned over to me with minimal...issues. I take it that we will not have a problem?

Dennis takes a copy of the court order he has received and opens it as he speaks, then closes it and slaps it onto Rose's left breast for her to take...

 

[Oracle]

Gabe's Office

Zizi knew that mentioning hacking Clandestine would brighten Gabe's day.

"Now THIS will be fun. See those half ass cyber fucktards scramble when I turn their mainframe into my playground."

"You don't have to enjoy it quite so much."

After a pause, she smiled and inclined her neck.

"Oh, go on then."

She laughed at his childlike glee, and then they were alerted that the food had arrived.

"Thanks Falcon. Unlock door."

"Okay, I am going to have to hire you to do that to the Clocktower. It is seriously awesome."

Gabe came back with the bag of breakfast sandwiches, which Zizi gladly dug into while he went to get dressed. When he was ready to go, he helped her into her chair and out to the elevator, then pulled the car around while she waited in the lobby. Soon he had lifted her into the car and they were on their way.

She smiled, looking out the window as they sped downtown.

"You are spoiling me with all this door to door transportation."

She snapped her fingers.

"Darnit, I should have said, 'Home James' when we got in the car! Ah, well..."

When they arrived at the Clocktower, Gabe parked in the garage and they took the elevator to the top floor. Everything was eerily quiet when they stepped into the apartment.

"Perfect. Looks like we have the place to ourselves - at least for now."

There were a lot of extra people staying in the building, and the chances of it staying that way were very slim. But Zizi reminded herself to take the wins where they came, no matter how small.

"Coffee?"

 

[Rose]

The Sanctuary

Dennis stared into Rose's bosom as if it's the first time he has seen one. He shakes his attention back up to her and speaks, his tone sneering as he feels confident with his two companions at his side.

What you can do is stand aside while we perform an emergency well-check and produce Jake for me.

<< Rose looks down her nose at this....grotesque man.>>

Mr. Nedry, Jake O'brien has just be discharged from the hospital. He's resting right now, and does not need his anxiety exacerbated by a visit from you.

I really must INSIST that you WAIT for my attorney, before we proceed any further.

<< She takes a step forward, and FORCES him, and his...companions to step BACK. >>

<< At that moment, Rae contacts Rose, psychically. KATIE has had a precognitive flash, about a man enshrouded in shadow, with glowing eye glass, and flames flowing around him...as he reaches for JAKE. Jake is now VERY scared, and crying out for Rose.>>

But If I go to him....they'll FOLLOW ME....

Her presence will be unnecessary for this

Mr. Nedry, why are you doing this?

<< She started to perform a soul scan on him, like she had Cobra, or Scion, but....Jake's cries were too intense. She HAD to go to him. >>

<<Moments later, at the Orphanage house, Rose emerges, where Rae is trying to calm Jake. She gathers him in her arms.>>

Mr. Nedry. Jake is recovering from a TRAUMA at the hands of a woman that is STILL on the loose! Instead of HARRASSING ME and the children in my care, why aren't you assisting in making sure that woman does not make a SECOND try for this boy, or any of the other survivors in my care?

Rae: Because he's up to no good, darlin. THAT'S WHY.

I have an emergency order to take Jake into my custody due to the obvious abuse he suffered that landed him in the hospital and the subsequent lack of cooperation from you culminating in an assault on my person during my last visit.

<< Rose looks at the man in DISGUST as she QUICKLY SLAPS his hand away, and snatches the paper, handing it to Rae>>


Rose: Mr. Nedry, what you're saying makes NO SENSE! And your allegations that these children are being abused in anyway are FALSE.

<< Yes, Sharon had KO'ed him with her sonic power, and Rose shunted him back to his own dwelling, but he had no way to PROVE that.>>

You CANNOT remove Jake, he is NOT WELL ENOUGH to travel under such circumstances!

<< Jake clutches on Rose, but one of the men pulls him away from her. Rose looks intently at Rae, who looks PISSED at the men. >>

By the dark moon....WHERE IS ALYCIA! WHERE IS SHARON!?

Jake cries out, as the man CARLESSLY handles him, causing him pain.>>

STOP IT! You're HURTING HIM!

<< Rose moves toward the "officer" and the other "officer" intercepts her.>>

Officer: Ma'am...you need to STEP BACK.

<< he grabs her arm roughly>>

Rose: RELEASE ME!

<< twisting FREE of his grab, Astral energy swirls up her arm, into a halo around her balled fist , and with one fluent move, Rose FLATTENS the man with a soul powered PUNCH! that sends him flying UP into the ceiling before he falls to the ground with a THUD.>>

Rose: NEDRY! I WON'T STAND FOR THIS ANY LONGER!

<< she says, with that haunting resonance now in her voice once more>>

<< Nedry finds her now towering over him, as she raises her hand, with a glowing halo of white, PSYCHO POWER around her hand. She's about to release it in the form of a astral energy blast when Rae steps in front of her and grabs Rose's arm, holding her back as long as she can, counting on Rose HEARING her, and not giving in to that "psycho power" within her just yet! >>

Rae: ROSE, DON'T! If you do that....you'll play RIGHT into his hands!

<< Rose recoiled in horror as she realized Rae was right. The other "officer" QUICKLY places Rose under arrest.>>

<< by now, Xavier has arrived to bear witness to this horrific event, and now, Rose herself is being arrested! >>

Rae: Road Runner, I'LL go with them. You know how to find me....now GO FIND ALYCIA, FIND SOMEBODY, Rose's needs HELP!

<< And with that, Jake is carried out, and Rose is lead out, with Rae following close behind.>>

 

[Tachyon]

Grid search completed and NO ALYCIA. X was concerned, especially with Nedry at the Sanctuary. It was not out of the realm of possibility that this was some sort of two-pronged attack.....

He decided to head out to the Sanctuary, sonic booms in his wake as he pulls up to the facility. The scene was NOT. GOOD.

STOP IT! You're HURTING HIM!

<< Rose moves toward the "officer" and the other "officer" intercepts her.>>

Officer: Ma'am...you need to STEP BACK.

<< he grabs her arm roughly>>

Rose: RELEASE ME!

<< twisting FREE of his grab, Astral energy swirls up her arm, into a halo around her balled fist , and with one fluent move, Rose FLATTENS the man with a soul powered PUNCH! that sends him flying UP into the ceiling before he falls to the ground with a THUD.>>

Rose: NEDRY! I WON'T STAND FOR THIS ANY LONGER!

<< she says, with that haunting resonance now in her voice once more>>

<< Nedry finds her now towering over him, as she raises her hand, with a glowing halo of white, PSYCHO POWER around her hand. She's about to release it in the form of a astral energy blast when Rae steps in front of her and grabs Rose's arm, holding her back as long as she can, counting on Rose HEARING her, and not giving in to that "psycho power" within her just yet! >>

Rae: ROSE, DON'T! If you do that....you'll play RIGHT into his hands!

<< Rose recoiled in horror as she realized Rae was right. The other "officer" QUICKLY places Rose under arrest.>>

Xavier pulled his phone and recorded the scene to keep the officers on their best behavior. Their treatment was less rough, but nevertheless Rose was under arrest.

Rae: Road Runner, I'LL go with them. You know how to find me....now GO FIND ALYCIA, FIND SOMEBODY, Rose's needs HELP!

<< And with that, Jake is carried out, and Rose is lead out, with Rae following close behind.>>

Dammit!

Xavier roared to the sky before heading inside. He knew the kids were on lockdown and probably scared. He sent the video to Zizi's phone and messaged everyone by com-link.

Oracle, Rose has been arrested and Jake has been seized by Dennis Nedry. Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located. I am at the Sanctuary with the children who are on lockdown. I will stay here and try to get them calm.

Steel, Ashley, they are gonna need your help in booking. Rich and Drew, come help me with the kids.

 

[Cypher]

Zizi: "You don't have to enjoy it quite so much."

He gave her a 'yeah right' look.

Zizi: "Oh, go on then."

But the doorbell rang interrupting his continued celebration. He asked Falcon to unlock the door as he walked over.

Zizi: "Okay, I am going to have to hire you to do that to the Clocktower. It is seriously awesome."

Paying the delivery guy, he shut the door and nodded.

"Yeah, of course. Clocktower should have a system like this. Makes things a whole lot easier."

Handing Zizi the bag of food.

"As soon as this situation is taken care of, i'll update your systems."

With that Gabe got changed and both him and Zizi headed over to the Clocktower. It was a stroke of luck that no one was on the top level of the building.

Zizi: "Perfect. Looks like we have the place to ourselves - at least for now."

"I'll take what we can get."

Sitting by the computer, Zizi offered coffee to which he very graciously accepted. Turning the systems on, he immediately went to Nedry's file that was situated in a folder on the desktop. Though they were both gone, Gabe had set up a ciphering system that gathered all information pertaining to Nedry that could be found in the government data bases stateside and otherwise. Not to mention anything associated with Nedry's social security number. The file was filled with information.

"Looks like we got a lot of goods on Nedry. I can compress the file and email it right over to Alycia now."

So far so good! The more dirt they dug up on Nedry, the better chance they had of getting him out of Rose's not so natural purple hair. But the small moment of triumph was soon overshadowed by Xavier's voice.

Xavier: Oracle, Rose has been arrested and Jake has been seized by Dennis Nedry. Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located. I am at the Sanctuary with the children who are on lockdown. I will stay here and try to get them calm.

Gabe quickly turned to look at Zizi.

"Shit."

Pulling up The Sanctuary security feed, he noted a cluster of green dots gathered together in the underground safe house. He doubled up the security in that spot.

"I've got the safe house on lock. None of those bastards are getting in."

 

[Matrix]

We was giving X some shit when the phone rang, it was Rae from the Sanctuary. Pudgee the Fat Bastard had come back to mess with the kids and Rose and they needed Alycia.

Xavier ran off to try to find her while we finished off what we had in front of us and got our mind right just in case. Not 5 minutes later he chimes back in.

Oracle, Rose has been arrested and Jake has been seized by Dennis Nedry. Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located. I am at the Sanctuary with the children who are on lockdown. I will stay here and try to get them calm.

Steel, Ashley, they are gonna need your help in booking. Rich and Drew, come help me with the kids.

I stood up and nodded to Andrew.

Come with me, I got this.

Grabbing his shirt, I opened the window and jumped up and out into the air while dragging Andrew up, then turned into a V-22 Osprey around him and headed for the Sanctuary. I messaged Miss D by our link, waking her.

I am sorry, but it is important. The fat fucker you guys would not let me kill showed up at the Sanctuary and took Jake and got Rose arrested. I am headed there with Andrew to help X look out for the kids since Rae went with Rose. We need you when you can get over.

 

[Isis]

The Clocktower- Dominique and Richard's floor

:: Maybe Vivica was right after all. Steel was certainly easy on the eyes...and that woman.....Oldenburg, had managed to display SOME sense of decorum. Overall, a smooth evening, with the promise of retribution against Black Widow and Persephone agreed to by more than one, soon gave way to a sound sleep. The hemlock had been potent, but after everything she'd been through? She DESERVED it.::

:: Night gave way to morning, and Dominique slept in, as Richard slipped away for a hearty breakfast. She was only marginally aware of his departure, and soon she was sleeping again, All the while she slept, until...:::

I messaged Miss D by our link, waking her.

:: She jolted a bit in her large, posh bed, with her eye mask still over her eyes::

Hmmm!?

Richard....

:: she replied, half awake, about to ask him to make her some tea::

I am sorry, but it is important. The fat fucker you guys would not let me kill showed up at the Sanctuary and took Jake and got Rose arrested. I am headed there with Andrew to help X look out for the kids since Rae went with Rose. We need you when you can get over.

:: THIS woke her all the way up.::

WHAT!?

:: He confirmed his news.::

Alycia....where is she!?

:: No one could find her, and Dominique began to suspect why.::

These ungrateful idiots...

Yes, Richard. Get to the sanctuary at once. See if you can contact her friends....Danny and Simon. They'd want to know about this.

:: She sits up, and then slips out of bed, lifting up her eyes, extending her arms, and enveloping herself sphere of golden light that FLASHES brilliantly. She is now fully refreshed and in costume ::

:: She vanishes from her suite and appears before Steel::

I assume you've heard what's happened.

Alycia's fears were founded.

Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located.

I have a suspicion of why that is...and where she may be...

Steel, Ashley, they are gonna need your help in booking. Rich and Drew, come help me with the kids.

Gabe quickly turned to look at Zizi.

"Shit."

Pulling up The Sanctuary security feed, he noted a cluster of green dots gathered together in the underground safe house. He doubled up the security in that spot.

"I've got the safe house on lock. None of those bastards are getting in."

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

I've instructed Richard to try to contact Danny Donelley, and Simon Pratt while he is at the sanctuary.

I would go to Richard, but I think, Oracle, that you and I would be better served to go to ALYCIA.

:: some questioned, and Isis held up her hand.::

I have options to try locating her that you do not.

Beyond that, Sharon talked to me last night

:: But isis did not at all indicate that she, Sharon, Steel and Richard had had a secret meeting of their own::

Alycia's meeting did not go well for her and she was very distressed about what happened with that...among other things.

If we act fast, we can get to her before she is completely unreachable, turn her around, and get her back to Rose, before it's too late.

:: She looked at Zizi::

Are you ready?

:: she says as she prepares to weave her teleporting spell.::

 

[Orion]

The Clocktower -- Ashley's Room

Ashley: Listen, Ambassador, I've used every type of gun that's ever existed. The only way this competition would be fair is if I closed both eyes and shot backwards.

She said, and Zach gave a soft chuckle.

"That's probably true."

He conceded, dropping the machismo tone.

"It's cool, I'm used to being out-shot by a woman."

He admitted, because Haleigh's shots had always been precision guided. Ash's hands were traveling down his bare chest lustily. Zach took a deep breath and licked his lips in anticipation as she reached his waistband.

Ashley: But I'm sure I could find some kind of use for those handcuffs...

A prurient smirk crossed Zach's lips.

"Perhaps I should be a bad boy instead of a good one?"

He asked, and she appeared to think of something suddenly.

Ashley: Oh...we'd better make sure you can attach a handcuff to my new furniture...

"Oh, definitely--"

He started to say, but then he winced.

"Wrought Iron bed frame--"

He tried to finish, as he reached for his chest with a grimace. He felt a stabbing pain, and knew it had nothing to do with his two-day-old scar.

"Ugh, Ash... something's wrong..."

He groaned. Second-hand anxiety, and stark terror. It had to be from someone he cared about, but it wasn't in this building. Zach drew in a ragged breath. It wasn't long before Xavier's voice came through the com-link.

Tachyon>> Oracle, Rose has been arrested and Jake has been seized by Dennis Nedry.

There was a flash of fury in Zach's blue eyes. Xavier continued to brief them.

Tachyon>> Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located. I am at the Sanctuary with the children who are on lockdown. I will stay here and try to get them calm. Steel, Ashley, they are gonna need your help in booking. Rich and Drew, come help me with the kids.

Ashley climbed off of Zach's lap, and they both got out of bed quickly.

"WHERE did they take him, Xavier?! Where is Jake?!"

Zach demanded, as he knelt at his overnight bag. To HELL with this ban. He didn't care what Rose had to say about it, or who agreed that they should go along with it. That was done now, and if Nedry got in Zach's way, the prick would get what he deserved.

Zach didn't care WHO was there, or WHERE this took place. He didn't even care if they got it on video. HE had diplomatic immunity and he was willing to do whatever it took to get Jake back.

He was glad he'd had the foresight to pack his Clandestine body armor. He dressed with great haste, in a battlesuit as black as his mood.

 

[Oracle]

The Clocktower

Someone had made fresh coffee, and Zizi poured two cups - she should have made Gabe stop over for a Big Gulp - and brought them back over to the console where Gabe was already hard at work.

"Looks like we got a lot of goods on Nedry. I can compress the file and email it right over to Alycia now."

She grinned at him proudly.

"You. Are amazing."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Her smile faded as a voice came through the alert system.

Oracle, Rose has been arrested and Jake has been seized by Dennis Nedry. Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located. I am at the Sanctuary with the children who are on lockdown. I will stay here and try to get them calm.

Gabe turned towards her.

"Shit."

"Indeed."

She slid in front of her workstation, beginning to get eyes up on the screen. Steel stepped off the elevator from the below floors, and Isis suddenly appeared.

I assume you've heard what's happened. Alycia's fears were founded.

Steel: "No one thought they were unfounded."

"I've got the safe house on lock. None of those bastards are getting in."

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

Gabe confirmed he could, and Zizi reached in front of him, tapping away while Isis continued.

I would go to Richard, but I think, Oracle, that you and I would be better served to go to ALYCIA.

She nodded, her eyes still on the screen in front of her.

"I've overlayed our com trackers in blue - see, here's Xavier. You'll see Richard and Andrew when they reach the Sanctuary."

Her eyes looked into Gabe's.

"I need you."

Alycia's meeting did not go well for her and she was very distressed about what happened with that...among other things. If we act fast, we can get to her before she is completely unreachable, turn her around, and get her back to Rose, before it's too late.

"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."

She opened a com link.

[via com] "Tachyon, Matrix, Titan, this is Oracle. Cypher will open the door for the two of you when you arrive. Tachyon, good work, hold tight."

Are you ready?

Gabe handed her the drive, which she held tightly in her hand, and she nodded.

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

She smiled at him, before they vanished.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Clocktower - Ashley's Room

Ashley got competitive, and told Zach there was no way he could outshoot her.

"That's probably true. It's cool, I'm used to being out-shot by a woman."

She immediately regretted what she'd said.

"I'm sure you'll surprise me. You always do."

Her expression turned more amorous, and her hands wandered down his chest.

"Perhaps I should be a bad boy instead of a good one?"

"Mmmhmm...you definitely need a spanking..."

She suggested handcuff-friendly furniture, and Zach started to reply, but then he was wincing and looked like he was in pain.

"Zach?"

Her eyes looked at him sharply.

"What is it?"

He clutched at his chest.

"Ugh, Ash... something's wrong..."

"Zach!"

He looked terrible, his breathing erratic. She was about to call for help when she heard Xavier's voice in her ear.

Oracle, Rose has been arrested and Jake has been seized by Dennis Nedry. Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located. I am at the Sanctuary with the children who are on lockdown. I will stay here and try to get them calm.

Steel, Ashley, they are gonna need your help in booking. Rich and Drew, come help me with the kids.

Zach was furious. She climbed off of him and began pulling on some clothes she had lumped on a chair.

"WHERE did they take him, Xavier?! Where is Jake?!"

When they were both dressed, she stopped him. She could see he was raging. She put her hands on his chest, and looked up into his eyes.

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

Steel [from the other room]: "ASH!"

She turned her head and called back.

"I'm coming!"

She gave him a kiss, then turned and went out the door.

 

[Tachyon]

WHERE did they take him, Xavier?! Where is Jake?!

I had a few items in the fire Zachary! Mr. Nedry placed him in a brand new silver Audi A8, temporary plates. There has to be a record of that transaction and that car should have a trackable transceiver, Oracle. Otherwise I would have taken the fucking thing apart.

Xavier went to the safe house doors and saw they were being locked down further.

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

After some back and forth, the doors opened as he could hear a large aircraft land outside. He whispers the first sentence into his comlink.

That better be you Richard. Hey kids, we are going to have free play. Come outside and my friends will pull out some stuff and we will have fun.

Xavier went over to where the babies were held as Andrew and Richard took the older kids out. There were only a few of them, mostly toddlers with a couple of babies. Xavier did not have enough hands and so he was stuck on what exactly to do with them all.

 

[Steel]

The Clocktower - Media Room, 13th Floor

The four of them sat around, eating and laughing. And Steel was having a good time, watching these young people. Then Xavier got a phone call, that Alycia was missing and there was a problem at the Sanctuary, and he sped off to find Alycia.

Steel set his beer down on the table, and threw his napkin next to it.

"Alright, lads, party's over, it seems."

Oracle, Rose has been arrested and Jake has been seized by Dennis Nedry. Alycia is incommunicado and cannot be located. I am at the Sanctuary with the children who are on lockdown. I will stay here and try to get them calm.

Steel, Ashley, they are gonna need your help in booking. Rich and Drew, come help me with the kids.

Steel nodded to them, and Rich pulled Andrew by the shirt towards the window.

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

They were out the window and Rich was now a military helicopter. Must be Tuesday.

He shook his head and hopped into the elevator to go back up the main floor. Isis appeared next to him as he exited, and she and Zizi planned to go get Alycia while Gabe watched the Sanctuary. He was already on the phone, making sure they took Rose to his precinct.

"ASH!"

He yelled. They needed to go. She yelled back that she was coming, and seconds later emerged from her room.

"My car's downstairs."

She raised an eyebrow at Gabe sitting in front of the console but said nothing as she passed by.

They went out and down the elevator to the garage, pulling out in his black Navigator, and heading uptown to meet the arresting officers there - hopefully beat them. He put on the sirens, pulling around traffic, going up onto the curb in his haste. He pulled in in front of the station, and the two of them hopped out and went inside to find them already booking Rose.

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

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

"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?"

He leveled a glare worthy of his codename.

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.

"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.

 

[Matrix]

The kids are coming out, a few of them saying wow as I turn back into myself. I leave Andrew to play with them for a second and check on X, who is looking at about a half dozen little kids and 2 babies like they are covered in acid.

X, tag out, help Drew with the big kids. I will get these ones outside. Take some blankets so I can lay them out when I get out there.

Xavier rolls out and I take a baby in each arm, then I grow a few more arms with hands to take the hand of each of the walkers. Luckily I do not freak them out because of what they see every day.

We walk outside, slowly but surely as I speak to them in a soft voice. As we get outside I place the kids on the blankets and I become whatever the fuck I think they want so they will be cool. Their giggles fill the air and it makes me forget, just for a second, that I should have killed the dude that made them have to stay in a safe house to start with. No matter what happens with this, I am going to kill him and make the world forget he ever existed.